HiLights I Chapter Seven Conciseness and Objectivity Conciseness

Hi-Lights I – Chapter Seven Conciseness and Objectivity

Conciseness (Clarity) Ú Newspaper writing is more general than the type of writing most are used to. Why. . . ? Ú Audience – very general Ú Confusion avoidance a must – write clearly – as little confusion as possible Ú Strunk and White – Say what you mean using as few words as possible Ú Newswriting must be compact!

Wordy Writing Examples Ú The Association of the Bar of the City of New York. . . Ú The New York City Bar Association Ú He was wearing a shirt that was made of cotton and that had been borrowed from a friend of his. Ú He wore a borrowed cotton shirt.

Eliminating Words ÚChange Phrases into single Words - the student with a great deal of ambition… - the ambitious student… - The last part of the month of June is cool. - The end of June is awesome. - June’s end is awesome.

Eliminating Words Ú Change that, which, whom clauses into phrases - Here is the car that I bought on the day that I won the lottery. - Here is the car I bought on the day I won the lottery. - The test which was returned recently boosted my grade. - The recently returned test boosted my grade.

Eliminating Words Ú Avoid expletives (it or there + “be” verb) - There was a big explosion that sent people into the street. - A big explosion sent people into the street. - There are many rules for me to follow in Hi-Lights. - I must follow many rules in Hi. Lights. - In Hi-Lights, I must follow many rules.

Eliminating Words Ú Omit redundancies! - My future plans include underwater basket weaving. - My plans include underwater basket weaving. - Homophones are terrible tragedies. - Homophones are tragedies.

Eliminating Words Ú Use active Voice! - The mistakes were made by Mr. Cleary. - Mr. Cleary made the mistakes.

Remaining Objective in News Stories l l A news story writer MAY NOT pass judgment on anything. This includes making judgments with which most people might agree. Most people don’t like the new texting while driving law. Many!

Remaining Objective in News Stories l l We rock because our homeroom brought in the most food drive items. Room B 237 students brought in the most food drive items. Because Noodles the Dog died, today is a sad day. Today Noodles the Dog died.

Remaining Objective in News Stories l l l The Student Council made wisely elected Kayla for the butter sculpting position. The Student Council elected Kayla for the butter sculpting position. Grammar Man will be remembered as a hero. Jerry Smith said he will remember Grammar Man as a hero. “I will remember Grammar Man as a hero, ” G said Jerry Smith.

Remaining Objective in News Stories l l Decked out in a snazzy tie, Mr. Cleary proudly accepted membership in the Groovy Tie Squad. Wearing a green and yellow tie, Mr. Cleary accepted membership in the Groovy Tie Squad. Dave, who is very tall, likes to dance the Macarena. Dave, at 6’ 8”, likes to dance the Macarena.