2. Writing Leads
Keep leads short. Usually 35 words or fewer.
Try to limit leads to one or two sentences.
The first 5 – 10 words determine if the lead will be an attention
getter.
Remember, what happened makes a better story than the fact it
did.
3. The Rest of the Story
Vary your sentence lengths.
Remember that short paragraphs encourage readers to continue
reading.
Limit paragraphs to:
60 words or fewer
No more than 10 typeset lines, or
One to three sentences.
4. The Rest of the Story
Paragraphs should generally only contain one idea.
Quotes stand alone as their own paragraphs. Do not start a quote
½ way through a paragraph.
Avoid introducing new information at the end of a story.
Carefully placed transitions guide the reader from one thought to
another.
5. Editing and Style
Eliminate words such as when asked and concluded.
Omit the word that whenever possible.
On first reference, use the person’s first and last name (and title if
necessary).
On second reference use last name only (no titles).
Use spell-checker and the AP Stylebook.
Ask for help!
6. Rules of Grammar
KNOW THEM!
Know the difference between:
It’s/its; who’s/whose; their/there/they’re
7. Word Choices
Eliminate lazy adverbs, let strong verbs do their jobs.
Instead of the radio played loudly, use the radio blared.
Eliminate lazy adjectives, let strong nouns do their jobs.
Instead of gang members created a chaotic scene use gansters created chaos.
Use simple words. Don’t send readers to the dictionary.
8. Word Choices
Avoid words that reinforce ethnic, racial, gender or ageist
stereotypes.
Avoid referring to someone’s ethnicity, race, gender or age unless
it is essential for the story.
Use he or she instead of he.
Respect people with disabilities.
9. Punctuation
When in doubt about using a comma, leave it out.
Use an exclamation mark only after brief expletives.
Fire! Run! Goal!
If you ever catch yourself overusing a set of punctuation marks,
force yourself to stop.
Simple sentence structures are always the best.
10. Punctuation
When in doubt about using a comma, leave it out.
Use an exclamation mark only after brief expletives.
Fire! Run! Goal!
If you ever catch yourself overusing a set of punctuation marks,
force yourself to stop.
Simple sentence structures are always the best.
