A Journalistic Approach to Good Writing: The Craft of Clarity - Softcover

Reseña del editor

To write well, you must write clearly. And to write clearly, you must practice. In A Journalistic Approach to Good Writing, Robert Knight, a veteran journalist, uses an easy, engaging, often humorous style to present the fundamentals of journalistic writing. The ability to apply these fundamentals will serve you well in all forms of written communication. Journalism students, practicing journalists, students of English, editors and freelance writers will find the many samples of others' mistakes and triumphs a valuable learning tool. Each chapter provides exercises designed to develop your skills and hone the craft of writing clearly.

Reseña del editor

Of all the elements that go into good writing (attitude, aptitude, dedication), none is as important as skill -- and nowhere are writing skills taught so well as in the realm of journalism. In this book, a seasoned professional sets out the basics of skills training in journalistic writing. For journalists and non-journalists alike, his engaging instruction will lead to better, more effective writing.

Inspired by his delight in the English language, the book begins with a clear and comprehensive account of what makes good writing. Knight introduces readers to the principles of solid journalistic practice: a captivating lead (or lede); a minimum of modifiers; and an emphasis on strong nouns and verbs and the active voice. At the heart of the book is a lesson in the journalistic craft, that addresses wordiness and redundancy, complex and compound sentences, the glory of precision, and the embarrassment of misplaced modifiers. Throughout, Knight offers a wealth of examples of what to do -- and what not to do -- when trying to write well. Finally, recognizing that the skills and style of journalism are merely a base for other forms of media writing, he also talks about writing for radio and television, magazines, newsletters, wire services, and the Internet.