If you’re going to write for a newspaper…
Articles
It’s reading time here for our next issue of NU (due out on April 23), and as our fabulous teens send in their articles, I thought I’d list some of the issues I see a lot as we edit them.
1. Two spaces between sentences is for English classes, but not for newspapers, because newspapers are always looking to conserve space.
2. In this era of informal communication, people like articles that are clear, accessible, and even friendly. I like articles that are clear, accessible, and friendly. Which is why I change “it is” to “it’s” and “you are” to “you’re.” Etc. Contractions make writing more conversational. They mimic real people talking to each other.
3. Less is more. Shorter, shorter, shorter.
4. Action verbs are wonderful. Compare “She wasn’t able to do it” to “She failed.” And it’s shorter!
I’ll post again if I have any additions to this list.
NU Online is published by New Jersey Jewish News
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