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