'Hot 100'

News Writing Tips

LEAD
1. Keep leads short. Those with 35 words or less are preferred.
Example 1:
All classes from elementary to high school in Metro Manila on Tuesday have been suspended
due to Typhoon Pedring, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday.
The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday that all classes from elementary
to high school in Metro Manila on Tuesday have been suspended due to Typhoon Pedring.
Example 2:
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will lift restrictions on imported onions more than a year
after it stopped approving import permits a move local growers claim is aimed at appeasing
the supermarket industry lobby.
Example 3:
Senate President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday urged Petron Philippines to compensate the
victims of a massive oil spill in Manila Bay that affected thousands of coastal residents and
fishermen in Cavite.
I would suppose they will be compensated for the damage done. The fishermen of Cavite
deserve compensation, Drilon said in an interview, speaking mostly in Filipino.
Drilon also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other agencies
to look into the maintenance procedures of Petron in its underwater pipelines to determine if
the oil giant has been remiss in any way.
Example 4.
The Philippine government has allotted P500 million for the Magna Carta Benefits to weather
forecasters and other employees of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the
proposed 2014 national budget.
However, the amount was part of a lump sum fund under the control of Malacaang,
prompting a partylist lawmaker to raise questions on the appropriation.

"Why centralize it to the MPBF (Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund)?" Bayan Muna
partylist Representative Neri Colmenares said.
Example 5.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council on Wednesday said the death toll
from typhoon "Labuyo" had climbed to six and the damage to property caused by the storm
had reached P816.504 million.
The two latest confirmed fatalities were Samson Dimante and Romeo Gonzales, fishermen
from Aurora province whose bodies were found early Tuesday.
"We suspect they drowned near the shore. Our investigation showed they were trying to take
shelter from the storm and residents tried to convince them to come ashore for shelter. But
they refused allegedly because they feared the boat may be stolen," NDRRMC spokesman Maj.
Reynaldo Balido said in a radio interview.
The NDRRMC said "Labuyo" also left six persons injured and five others missing.
The storm has affected at least 41,163 families, or 186,378 people, in 374 villages of 77 towns
and five cities in 16 provinces.
Of these, 3,296 families, or 15,011 people, are in 64 evacuation centers.
The storm also damaged 27 roads and 13 bridges while power was interrupted in 13 areas and
communication facilities disrupted in three more.
At least 519 houses were destroyed and 3,231 damaged.
Damage to property was placed at more than P816 million -- close to P701 million in
agriculture and P117.7 million in infrastructure -- in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon
and Cordillera regions.
Early Wednesday morning, the NDRRMC said at least 66 villages in Central Luzon remained
flooded.
Example 6.
Taal Volcano was placed under Alert Level 1 Wednesday morning after a volcanic quake was
detected over the past 24 hours, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council said.
The agency reiterated of the six-kilometer permanent danger zone around Taal and warned
that sudden steam explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may
accumulate.

The northern portion of the crater rim, in the vicinity of Daang Kastila Trail, may also become
hazardous when steam emission along existing fissures suddenly increases, it added.
Example 6.
Employees of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) have finally received their long-awaited share of longevity and
hazard pay.
According to Ramon Agustin, president of the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association,
the Department of Budget and Management has released their package of benefits on the
availability of PAGASAs savings.
The employees benefits range from P20,000 to P100,000, depending on their salary grades,
he said.
For example, a forecaster can receive at least P60,000 perk for a period of six months,
Agustin said.
He lauded Secretary Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology for the
release of their Magna Carta bonuses.
2. A lead paragraph limited to one sentence is preferred.
Example 1.
Sumali sa bidding ang may 25 negosyante na nagmula sa Cebu, Davao, Metro Manila, at
maging sa ilang lalawigan sa Luzon.
Ang isang rice miller na nagmula sa Bulacan ang sinasasabing may pinakamaraming bigas na
nabili.
Ito na ang ikalawang pagsubasta na ginawa ng BOC-Cebu at magkakaroon muli ng pagsubasta
ngayong Agosto sa sandaling matapos ang isinasagawang pag-imbentaryo.
Hindi naman isinama sa subasta ang mga bigas na nakalagay sa container van ng ninakaw ng
may 200 sako ng bigas.

Example 2.
Aminado ang isang senador na kakain ng panahon at gugugol ng salapi ang paglilipat ng
kabisera ng bansa at ilang pangunahing tanggapan ng pamahalaan mula sa National Capital

Region (NCR) tungo sa ibang lugar.

Para kay Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, maituturing na ambisyoso ang kaniyang panukala subalit
pwedeng isaalang-alang lalo pat sinubukan na rin ito ng ilang mga bansa.
Its ambitious but doable, ani Trillanes sa isang lunch media briefing kamakailan.
"Kung hindi tayo mag-aambisyon, ganito na lang talaga tayo. Tatsaga-in mo ang trapik arawaraw," saad pa ng senador.
Layunin ng panukala na pag-aralan ang posibilidad ng nasabing paglilipat dahil sa talamak na
problema sa trapiko at mga pagbaha sa Metro Manila na perwisyo na sa mga estudyante at
mga manggagawa.
Una nang sinabi ni Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto na nasa P150 bilyon ang
nawawala sa ekonomiya ng bansa kada taon dahil sa problema sa trapiko.
Mas magastos pa ang gagawing pagsasayos sa mga pangunahing lansangan sa NCR kesa sa
paglilipat ng kabisera sa ibang lugar ayon kay Trillanes.
Partukular na tinukoy nito na tumagal lamang ng tatlong taon ang paglilipat ng kabisera ng
Brazil sa Brasilia.
Ang Braslia ay ang pinakamalaking lungsod sa mundo na hindi nakilala sa pagsisimula ng 20th
century ayon sa kanilang kasaysayan.
Samantalang sa Australia naman aniya, isinagawa ang international competition noong 1911
para idesenyo ang Canberra, ang ngayoy kabisera nito.
The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a
compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities.
Sa ilalim ng panukala ni Trillanes, magtatatag ito ng isang komisyon na kabibilangan ng tatlong
commissioners na i-a-appoint ng Pangulo at secretariat para sa suportang teknikal at
administratibo sa komisyon.

Example 3.

Maaaring mabago umano ang kasaysayan ng paglalayag ng mga Pilipino matapos matuklasan
ang isang malaking balangay sa Butuan City sa Mindanao na tinatayang nasa 800-taong gulang.
Ang natagpuang balangay na hindi bababa sa 25 metro ang haba ay ang itinuturing
pinakamalaking sasakyang pandagat ng mga sinaunang Pilipino.
Mas matanda pa umano ang balangay sa mga barkong ginamit nina Ferdinand Magellan na
tumuntong sa bansa noong ika-16 na siglo.
Pako, sintaba ng 'coke in can'
Pinangunahan ni National Museum archeologist Dr. Mary Jane Louise A. Bolunia ang
pananaliksik at pagsusuri sa nasabing balangay. Ayon sa kanya, sintaba ng coke in can ang mga
kahoy na ginawang pako sa nasabing sasakyang pandagat.
"That's just one of the treenails used in its construction," aniya.
Paliwanag ni Dr. Bolunia, ang pinakamalaking balangay na natagpuan nila sa Butuan simula
noong 1970s ay halos 15 metro lamang ang haba. Subalit, noong 2012, natagpuan nila ang
isang mas malaking balangay na kasya ang mga naunang balangay na natagpuan nila.
Hindi pa tapos hukayin ang ilang parte ng barko pero sa pag-aaral ni Dr. Bolunia, wala nang
mga klase ng puno sa bansa ang kayang gayahin ang naturang balangay. Ayon sa kanya,
masyadong malalaki ang tabla na ginamit sa paggawa dito.
Example 4.
Nais ng isang kongresista mula sa Mindanao na isama sa curricula sa lahat ng paaralan sa
bansa para maituro sa mga mag-aaral ang kasaysayan at kultura ng mga Muslim.
Ang mungkahi ay nakapaloob sa inihaing panukalang batas ni Deputy Speaker at Lanao del Sur
Rep. Pangalian Balindong, sa paniwala na makatutulong ito sa pagsusulong ng pagkakaisa at
kapayapaan sa bansa.
Sa House Bill 1446, inaatasan nito ang Department of Education (DepEd) at Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) na isama sa aralin ng mga estudyante sa lahat ng antas ng paaralan
sa bansa ang "history, culture and identity" ng mga Moro.
Maaari umanong simulan ang pagtuturo nito sa mga paaralan na nasa Mindanao.
DepEd and CHED are likewise mandated to initiate and maintain regular programs and special
projects to provide venues for information and discussion of Moro history, cultures and

identity, including the utilization of informal education and other means to stress the
importance of respect, paliwanag ni Balindong sa panukala.
Maaari umanong isama sa ituturo sa curricula ang pag-unawa sa ugat ng kaguluhan at
problema sa Mindanao, at ang epekto nito sa buong bansa.
The specific character of Mindanao as an island shared by these tri-peoples and thus the ideal
of their equality, co-existence and unity, including the peculiarities of the different Moro and
Lumad ethno-linguistic groups, ayon sa kongresista.
Kasabay nito, hindi rin umano dapat mawala sa aralin ang positibong aspeto sa kasaysayan ng
tri-peoples ng Mindanao na mga Kristiyano, Moro o Muslim, at mga Lumad.
The identification of the common origins of the people of Mindanao and of the Philippines as
well as other points of commonalities, including the positive presentation of these people
before the arrival of Islam and Christianity as well as the appreciation of the various cultures
and ethnic identities are also some of the key points to be emphasized, mungkahi ni
Balindong.
3. Avoid starting leads with "when" or "where" unless the time or place is unusual. Most leads
start with "who" or "what."
4. Avoid beginning leads with "there" or "this."
5. In leads about future events, the time, day (date) and place usually go at the end of the
paragraph.
Example 1:
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will sign a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) with the various environmental stakeholders under its adopt-a-estero
initiative on Monday at the Makati City Hall.
6. In leads about past events, the day (date) of the event usually appears before or after the
verb. Sometimes the day (date) comes at the end of the first sentence or the paragraph if it is
a one-sentence lead.
7. Use quote and question leads sparingly.
8. The first five to "what happened" makes a better story than the fact it did.
BODY

9. Keep paragraphs short. Those limited to 35 words or less are preferred.

10. Paragraphs limited to one to two sentences are preferred. (but one sentence is enough)
11. Each paragraph should contain only one idea.
12. Remember short paragraphs encourage readers to continue reading.
Example 1:
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P192 million for its community seed bank
(CSB) and seed production program to enable farmers to produce their own requirement of
certified seeds every cropping season.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the program, which forms part of the
national food staples sufficiency program, will empower organized farmers groups and
cooperatives to produce their own certified or inbred rice seeds out of the registered rice
seeds that will be distributed to them for free.
Example 2:
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P40 million for refurbishment and repair of
the Agrifreeze Processing Complex at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga after years
of mishandling by its previous management.
Honesto Baniqued, president of the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR), said they
are now putting more effort to turn around the operations of the P190-million Agrifreeze
facility and maximize its utilization after three consecutive years of losses in its operations.
Example 3:
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with three
private entities for the conduct of greenhouse gases (GHG) inventory in 16 cities and one
municipality of Metro Manila .
In a statement, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the project will kickoff on November
or December for the whole National Capital Region, which intends to undertake an inventory
of greenhouse gases or carbon footprint down to the level of local government units.
Example 4:

The Philippines will start importation of white and yellow onions to augment the shortage in
supply in the next two months, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.
Dr. Clarito Barron, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director, said that he has already signed
last week permits for the importation of some 4,000 metric tons white and yellow onions
enough to meet the domestic requirement until the harvest season.
Example 5:
The Philippines expects palay production to grow by more than a fifth in the third quarter of
this year because of expansion in harvest area and improvement in yield, the Department of
Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told reporters that the countrys palay production will not
be less than 20 percent for the third quarter of 2011. He also said that palay production could
hit record-high this year.
EDITING
13. Eliminate the word "that" whenever possible.
Example 1:
Meanwhile, Alcala said they may seek additional budget from the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) to meet its palay procurement targets for this year.
Example 2:
Alcala said he has arranged a meeting with the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to
discuss the volume and funds needed for the procurement program this year.
Example 3:
The DA chief also said that he has already directed NFA administrator Angelito Banayo to
provide a procurement and distribution plan for the whole country, prior to the coming
harvest for the wet cropping season.
14. For past events, report it happened "Friday," NOT "last Friday." Eliminate the word "last."
For future events, report it will happen "Monday," NOT "next Monday." Eliminate the word
"next."

15. Eliminate the "be" verb. Write "she will resign" instead of "she will be resigning. "Write in
future tense (will) instead of future progressive tense (will be "ing").
16. Eliminate words such as "when asked" and "concluded." These are weak transitions. Just
report what was said.
17. A long title should follow the name. A title that follows the name should be lowercased
and set off in commas. Shorter titles that precede names should be capitalized.
18. Avoid the contractions of he'd and they'd. "He'd" can mean both "he had" and "he would,"
and "they'd" can mean both "they had" and "they would."
19. Always double-check the spelling of names.
20. Make sure numbers match the items listed.
21. Make sure "only" is placed properly in a sentence. The location of "only" can change the
meaning of a sentence.
22. Write. Rewrite. Revise. Rewrite. Revise. Edit. Revise. Edit. Edit. The first version of a story is
NOT good enough to go into print. Someone once said THERE IS NO GREAT WRITING, ONLY
GREAT REWRITING.
23. Read the story out loud to catch awkward sentence constructions.
GRAMMAR
24. If "none" means "no one" or "not one," use a singular verb. Consult the AP Stylebook or
Grammar for Journalists for more information.
Example:
None was found guilty.
25. When you use a pronoun to refer to a team or a group, the proper pronoun to use is "its,"
NOT they.
Example:
The team wants to improve its record.
26. Make sure verbs or other phrases are "parallel" or the same in structure when they appear
in stories or list.

Example:
He likes gardening, fishing and hunting. The fire killed at least 12 persons, injured 60 more and
forced scores of residents to leap from windows.
27. Use THIRD PERSON (she, he, it, its, her, hers, him, his, they, them, their, theirs) in news
stories. Only on rare occasions do you use first person (I, mine, we, our, ours) or second
person (you, your, yours) in news stories.
28. When "either ... or" and "neither ... nor" are used, the verb agrees in person with the
nearer subject.
Example: Neither the coach nor the players are to blame. Neither the players nor the coach is
to blame.
29. Use active voice vs. passive voice. The passive voice is formed by using some form of the
verb "be" with the past participle of an action verb: is shot, was shot, has been shot, had been
shot, may be shot, will be shot. The word "by" may also signal the sentence is written in
passive voice. Rewrite sentences to eliminate the word "by."
Example: Passive voice ; The city was ordered by the judge to make the payment. Active voice ;
The judge ordered the city to make the payment.
MISCELLANEOUS

Prepositions of Time
IN- The pyramids TOP (wider), which is BIGGER and more GENERAL:
Description: Bigger periods of time: Centuries, Decades, Years, Months
Examples: in the 20th century, in the 1980s, in March, in the third week of April, in the
future
Exceptions: in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon
ON- The pyramids MIDDLE part, which is SMALLER and MORE SPECIFIC:
Description: Days, or periods of time shorter than three days
Examples: on my birthday, on Saturday, on the weekend (United States), on June 8th
Exceptions: on my lunch break, on time
AT- The pyramids BOTTOM (pointed), the SMALLEST, and the MOST SPECIFIC:
Description: Specific times or small time periods.
Examples: at 9:00 PM, at lunch, at dinner, at the start of the party, at sunrise, at the start of
the movie, at the moment
Exceptions: at night, at the weekend (England)
Prepositions of Location
IN - The TOP (wider), which is BIGGER and more GENERAL:
Description: In larger areas (countries, states, cities, neighborhoods)
Examples: in the United States, in Miami, in my neighborhood
Exceptions: indowntown (I work in downtown)

ON - The MIDDLE, which is SMALLER and MORE SPECIFIC:

Description: a longer area, street, beach, river
Examples: on Broadway Street, on the beach, on my street
AT The pyramids BOTTOM (pointed), the SMALLEST, and the MOST SPECIFIC:
Description: the address or specific location, specific points.
Examples: at 345 broadway street, at the store, at my house
Prepositions of Placement
The mind map pyramid below explains TIME in the same way we did above (only this one is
not inverted), but it also introduces prepositions PLACE/PLACEMENT, which we will focus on
here.

IN for enclosed spaces and personal modes of transportation

Enclosed Space:in the kitchen, in the house, the water is in the glass

 Personal Modes of Transportation: get in the car, my friend is in the taxi

ON for surfaces and public modes of transportation
Surfaces:on the floor, on the wall, the book is on the table, on a page, I put on my clothes
(my clothes are on my body)
Public Modes of Transportation:on the bus, on the plane, on a boat, on a ship,
Exceptions: on my motorcycle, on my bike (these are personal modes of transportation, but
we use on)
AT for specific point (the same as prepositions of location)
atthe bus stop, at the cinema, at the corner, at the top of the hill, at the mall
- See more at: http://reallifebh.com/prepositions-made-easy-in-on-andat#sthash.DR5LUBgX.dpuf
30. When something isn't clear, make a drawing of it. Putting it on paper can clarify the
situation.
31. WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT. This has to do with questionable information that may be
libelous, incomplete information and information the writer does not have a clear
understanding of.
NONSEXIST, NONAGEIST, NONDISCRIMINATORY COMMUNICATION
32. Avoid words that reinforce ageist, racial and ethnic stereotypes.
33. Avoid racial identification except when it's essential to communication.
34. Substitute asexual words for "man" words or sexist words.
NO
mankind
.......................................................
man-made
....................................................
manpower
....................................................
man-hours
....................................................
man-sized
.....................................................

YES
people, humanity,
human beings,
human race
synthetic, artificial,
manufactured,
of human origin
workers, work force,
staff, personnel
work hours
husky, sizable, large,
requiring

founding fathers
...........................................
gentleman's agreement
.................................
for the man on the way up
............................
for the lady of the house
................................

exceptional ability
pioneers, colonists,
patriots, forebears
informational
agreement or
contract
for the person or
executive on
his or her way up
for the homemaker
or consumer or head
of the household

anchorman
....................................................

anchor

advertising man
............................................

advertising
professional or
practitioner

chairman
.......................................................
cleaning woman
............................................
Englishmen
...................................................
fireman
...........................................................
foreman
........................................................
a man who
....................................................
man the exhibit
..............................................
man of letters
................................................
newsman
......................................................
postman
........................................................
policeman
....................................................
salesman

chairperson
housekeeper,
custodian
the English
firefighter
supervisor
someone who
run the exhibit, staff
the exhibit
writer
reporter
letter carrier
police officer
salesperson

.......................................................
stewardess
....................................................
self-made man
..............................................
weatherman
..................................................
workman
......................................................
the girls (for women over 18)
......................
the little lady, the better half
..........................
girl Friday
.....................................................
libber or women's lib
....................................
the ladies and the men
...................................

man and wife

................................................
you and your wife
.........................................
coed (for female students at a
coeducational school)
...................................
ladylike
.........................................................
housewife
.....................................................

flight attendant
self-made person
meteorologist
worker
the women
wife
secretary, assistant,
right hand
feminist,
liberationist,
women's movement
the women and the
men, the ladies and
the gentlemen, the
girls and the boys
(Note the parallelism
in structures.)
husband and wife
you and your spouse

student
well-mannered
homemaker (for a
person who
manages a
home); in an
economic sense,
consumer,
customer or shopper

career girl or career woman

.........................

refer to the woman's

profession or
vocation ; Professor Jane
Jones;
Kathy Smith, welder

35. Separate the person from the handicap. For more information, go to
www.easter.seals.org/resources/press/tips.asp.
NO
Mary, an epileptic, had no
trouble
doing her job.

YES
Mary, who had epilepsy, had
no trouble
doing her job.

The handicapped parents

The parents, each with some
met to
handicap,
exchange ideas.
met to exchange ideas.
The deaf accountant spotted The accountant spotted the
the error.
error.
36. Be respectful of persons with handicaps. For more information, go to
www.easter.seals.org/resources/press/tips.asp
NO

YES
impaired, limited,
crippled
disabled or be specific
.........................................................
paraplegic
deaf and dumb, deaf mute
.............................

deaf, hearing and/or

speech impaired

crazy, insane, dull, half-witted,

retarded ........

mentally ill,
developmentally
disadvantaged,
disabled or limited, or
be specific emotionally disturbed,

slow learner
fits, spells
seizures, epilepsy
......................................................

37. Use "he or she" or "she or he" for "he." If using "he or she" or "him or her" becomes
cumbersome, consider using a plural pronoun ; "they," "them," "their" or "theirs." Plural
pronouns, however, are weaker than singular ones.

ORGANIZATION
38. Make sure information introduced or outlined in the lead is covered in the same order in
the body of the story.
39. Avoid introducing new information at the end of a story. All aspects of a story should
usually be introduced or outlined in the first few paragraphs.
40. Transitions are necessary to show the reader that the writer has a sense of direction. A
word, phrase, sentence or paragraph can move the reader from one thought to another.
PARTS OF SPEECH
41. Avoid using "like" for "as." "Like" is a preposition and takes a noun or pronoun object. "As"
is a subordinate conjunction that introduces dependent clauses.
Example: It tastes like a peach. The one-time millionaire now works from dawn to dusk, as he
did in his youth.
42. Most adverbs are unnecessary. Redundant adverbs weaken strong verbs. Instead of
"tightly clenched teeth," write "clinched teeth." Instead of "the radio blared loudly," write "the
radio blared."
43. Most adjectives are unnecessary. The concept is oftentimes already in the noun. Use
adjectives sparingly.
44. Choose verbs that suggest what they mean. "Active" verbs add pace, clarity and vigor to
writing. Verbs are a writer's most important tools. Avoid "be" verbs.

PUNCTUATION
45. Use a comma with "according to." Example: ... , according to the news release. According
to John Jones, ... .
46. There is no comma between time, date and place. Example: The accident occurred at 4:32
a.m. Monday one-half block north of Central Dairy on Third Street South.
47. When in doubt about the use of a comma, leave it out.
48. Avoid comma splices and comma blunders. If a comma is placed between the subject
(noun) and predicate (verb), it's called a "comma splice." Example: The Fountain of Youth, is
not in Florida. (The comma is NOT needed.) If two independent clauses are joined by a
comma, this is a "comma blunder" or "comma fault."
Example: The Fountain of Youth is not in Florida, it's in Russia. (This is known as a run-on
sentence. A period or a semicolon should replace the comma. If a period is used, the "i" on
"it's" also needs to be capitalized.)
49. A comma should precede "such as," "especially" and "including" when these words
introduce examples.
Example: The advertised price of the tour does not cover some personal expenses, such as
laundry, entertainment and tips. He likes fruit, especially oranges.
In newswriting, students study various approaches to writing, including the inverted pyramid,
chronological, narrative, personalized and first-person.
When "such as" is used with a restrictive application, the comma is omitted.
Example: Magazines such as these should be thrown in the trash.
50. Quotation marks go outside commas (,") and periods (."). They go inside semicolons (";)
and colons (":).
51. In a series, a comma is NOT needed before the "and." Example: red, white and blue.
52. The dash is a long mark (-- or ; ). There should be a space before and after the dash. The
dash should be used before words and sentences run as lists.

53. The hyphen is a short mark ( - ) and is used to divide words or to link hyphenated
adjectives. Don't hyphenate adverbs ending in "ly" with adjectives. Write "frequently misused
words," NOT "frequently-misused words."
54. Use an exclamation point in only the rarest of situations and only after brief interjections.
Exclamation points are "graphic tantrums" and sometimes demonstrate a lack of control on
the writer's part. The order of the words in a sentence should be arranged in such a way that
they make the desired impression. Let the reader decide if the content is humorous or exciting
on his or her own.
QUOTES AND ATTRIBUTION
55. Use attribution only once per paragraph.
56. Attribution is needed when policy change statements are made, when opinions are
expressed or when "professional" opinions from physicians, scientists, engineers and others
are used. Attribution is also needed with direct quotations and indirect quotations
(paraphrased information).
57. Attribution is NOT needed when facts are commonplace and not subject to dispute or
when they are accepted and historically true.
58. Attribution is usually noun + verb.
Example: Jones said. It may be verb + noun when the source's title follows his or her name.
Example: ... ," said John Jones, chairman of the department of English.
59. Attribution should be placed at the end of the first sentence when the quote is made up of
two or more sentences.
60. When one quote follows another but the second one is from a different source, attribution
for the second quote should be placed at the beginning of it. This helps the reader know
immediately that a different person is speaking.
61. "Said" is the best word for attribution. Other words can be used, but they should
accurately represent how something is said.
62. Use past tense verbs (said vs. says) for attribution in news stories.
63. Let quotes begin the paragraph. Show them off. Quote marks attract the reader's eye. Use
them to encourage the reader to continue reading.

64. Avoid the use of partial quotes. Quote or paraphrase material. Don't mix the two.
65. Each time a different source is cited, start a new paragraph.
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
66. Avoid using the same word twice in a sentence.
67. The optimum number of words to use in a sentence is 14 to 16. The average reader cannot
comprehend a sentence with more than 40 words.
68. When writing becomes cumbersome, turn one long sentence into two or three shorter
ones.
69. If a long sentence must be used, place a short sentence before and after it.
70. Don't have more than three consecutive prepositional phrases in a sentence. Prepositional
phrases start with about, above, against, at, between, by, down, during, for, from, in, like, on,
over, through, to, toward, under, up, until, upon, with ...
71. Count the words in a story's sentences. Sentence length should vary. Stories become dull
when sentences are all the same length.
72. Don't start or end a sentence with "however." Start the sentence and then work
"however" into it as soon as possible. This word is intended to cause an interruption in
thought.
SPELLING
73. Use "Spell Check" on the computer.
74. Consult a dictionary. (Webster New World Dictionary is the preferred reference.)
75. Ask for help. Public library information desk personnel can be resourceful and helpful.
Don't call university libraries for assistance.
STYLE
76. Consult the AP Stylebook and Libel Manual.
77. If the answer cannot be found in the AP Stylebook, consult a dictionary or a grammar book.

78. The order for writing when and where is time, day (date) and place.
79. Use the day of the week for six days before or after a specific day.
80. Use the date when it is seven or more days before or after a specific day.
81. On first reference, identify a person by his or her first and last names. On second
reference, refer to the person by his or her last name only. On second and all other references,
you don't need Miss, Mrs., Ms. or Mr. unless it's an obituary.
VOCABULARY
82. Use simple words. Never send the reader to the dictionary. Odds are the reader won't
bother looking up the definition.
83. Words such as "thing" and "a lot" annoy some readers, bosses and executives. Avoid using
them. (Note the correct spelling of "a lot.")
84. Be careful how the word "held" is used. Make sure the object can be "held" physically.
Example: Weak ; The meeting will be held at noon Monday in Anthony Administration
Building, Room 125. Better ; The meeting will be at noon Monday in ...
85. Avoid using words that qualify how someone feels, thinks or sees. "Little qualifiers" include
the following: a bit, a little, sort of, kind of, rather, around, quite, very, pretty, much, in a very
real sense, somewhat.
86. Avoid technical jargon unless 95 percent or more of the readers will understand it. If
technical jargon is used and it won't be understood by the majority of readers, be sure to
explain each term used.
87. Learn the difference between "affect" (usually a verb) and "effect" (usually a noun).
Consult the AP Stylebook or a dictionary for more information.
88. Never say "yesterday" or "tomorrow." These words are confusing to readers. Use the day
of the week. "Today" may be used.
89. Know the difference between its (no apostrophe for possessive pronoun) and it's (the
contraction for it is).
Examples: The dog has a thorn in its (possessive pronoun) paw. It's (contraction) time to go.

90. Know when to use "their" (possessive pronoun), "there" (adverb) and "they're" (the
contraction for they are).
Examples: It is their (possessive pronoun) project. The project is over there (adverb). They're
(contraction) working together on the project.
91. Know the difference between whose (possessive pronoun) and who's (the contraction for
who is).
Examples: Whose (possessive pronoun) coat is this? Who's (contraction) going on the trip?
92. Know when to use "to" (preposition), "too" (adverb) and "two" (adjective).
Examples: The advertising group is going to (preposition) Indianapolis. The public relations
group wants to go, too (adverb). Some members are not going on the trip because it will take
too (adverb) much time from their schedules. The two (adjective) groups will go to
Indianapolis.
93. A person dies "unexpectedly," "apparently of a heart attack," "after a brief illness," "after a
long illness," "of injuries suffered or sustained," "following or after an operation" or "of a
disease."
94. In connection with suicides, it is best to say the person was "found dead" or "fell or
plunged to his or her death" until the coroner completes his or her investigation.
When suicide is reported, used died by suicide vs. committed suicide.
For more guidelines on reporting and writing about suicide, go to
www.suicidology.org/media/7.html.
95. In connection with arrests, write "arrested in connection with," "sought in connection
with," "charged with" or "arrested on charges of." If a confession is involved but the
confession has not been admitted as evidence in court, report only that the prisoner "has
made a statement."
96. Injuries are "suffered or sustained," NOT received.
97. With murder, arrests are made "in connection with the death of." It should not be
reported that a victim was murdered until someone is convicted of the crime. In obituaries, it
may be said the victim was "killed" or "slain."
98. Remember two objects must be moving to "collide." If a vehicle runs into a parked one or
an object, say the vehicle "struck" the stationary one.

99. Sometimes information cannot be verified. If doubt exists regarding a person's name,
report the person "was listed by police as John Smith" or he "gave his name as John Smith." If
a person is dead or unconscious and there is no identification, he or she is "unidentified," NOT
unnamed. If there are questions about where a person lives, report "address not given" or
"address unknown."
100. With fires, a building is "destroyed," NOT completely destroyed. Buildings also are
damaged "lightly," "moderately" or "heavily." A fire may "gut" or "destroy" the interior of a
building. To raze a building is to level it to the ground.