Publishing your Passion Sarah Russell www researchmatters net
Publishing your Passion Sarah Russell www. researchmatters. net
What is your passion? • Why do you want to write to newspaper? üCorrect errors üMake new point X Whine
How best to convey message? Ø Opinion piece Ø Letter to Editor Ø 2 liner
Tools to convey message • Facts • Argument/logic • Example/personal experience • Humour
The 10 commandments (These are not carved in stone)
Thou shall 1. Know your audience • • • Age Australian Guardian Weekly Sun. Herald Melbourne Times Northcote leader
Thou shall 2. Have a media hook (e. g. recent newspaper article)
Thou shall 3. Write quickly*, then email *(or have draft waiting for ‘media hook) “Today’s newspaper stories become tomorrow’s fish n chip wrappers”
Thou shall 4. Write a catchy introduction WOW FACTOR (Grab letter editor’s interest)
Thou shall 5. Speak to a general audience • No jargon or specialist language • No obscure vocabulary • Short sharp sentences X BUT Don’t dumb down
Thou shall not • Assume that – everyone knows what you are talking about – everyone agrees
Thou shall 6. Respect the word limit AND make every word count (i. e. no padding)
Thou shall 7. Make one point (or two at the most) Common pitfalls: • Trying to make too many points • Fluffy
Thou shall 8. Play the ball, not the person
Thou Shall 9. Write a strong conclusion Demonstrate: üStrength ü‘Way forward’ üHumour
Thou shall 10. Find a critical proof reader
Thou shall not Press ‘Send’ when: • Tired • Emotional • Drunk
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