Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
What’s in a Name?
Always make sure names are spelled and pronounced correctly otherwise you might offend the news source. There are various places to check the spelling and pronunciation of a name. Include a pronunciation guide beside the name so anyone reading it will know the correct pronunciation.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbeen
Ex. (good) Mr. Nutbean
Who Was That?
If you start a story with an unknown name, the listeners who weren’t paying that much attention might have missed it. Make sure to give a reason why the person was in the news before his name so people will know that a name is coming. If the person you’re talking about has a title, it’s okay to use that first to arouse the listener’s interest.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbean fought off an invading ninja army today saving the town.
Ex. (good) An entire ninja army was fought off today by Mr. Nutbean. Authorities say his heroics saved the town.
Endless Titles
Sometimes titles can be long and complicated. If that is the case try to break it up into smaller parts so it all doesn’t have to go in front of the name.
Ex. (bad)
Ex. (good)
First Names First
When using someone’s name that is not well known, use the first and last name the first time you identify them. After that, identify them just by their last name.
Ex. (bad) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital John Smith is in stable condition.
Ex. (good) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital Smith is in stable condition.
Eliminate the Middleman
A middle name or initial isn’t used unless it is associated with that person.
Ex. (bad) Cam M Beddome
Ex. (good) George W Bush
Identification Please
Titles can help identify specific people. There can be lots of different people in the community with the same name as each other. Using the persons title can help identify which are which.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) Businessman Johns Smith won best person ever award.
Home Sweet Home
If you can’t find a person’s title to identify them, it’s also acceptable to use their address if it’s available to you. To protect the person’s identity, don’t give information that tells people exactly where they live. Instead give an area of the city like North-West or Mid-City.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) John Smith, of 2nd street, was awarded best person ever award.
Age Gracefully
Only use ages to help identify someone when it’s important to the story or you don’t have anything else to use. Consider using an age if the person is unusually old or young to be involved in what he’s involved in.
Ex. (bad) 25 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Ex. (good) 4 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Who Says So
Attribution is the source of the information in the newscast. It lets people know where you got the story. Attribution should always go before the information that’s said.
Ex. (bad) “I can’t believe my 4 year old son robbed a bank!” Said Jane Smith.
Ex. (good)Jane Smith can’t believe her 4 year old son robbed a bank
Say it with Says
There are lots of different synonyms for says but you don’t have to use a different word every time somebody says something
Ex. (bad) “It was a good day.” Exclaimed John Smith.
Ex. (good)”It was a good day” Said John Smith.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Don’t be afraid to use the same words more than once. If the word sounds right than use it, even if you’ve already used it. Use the natural conversation words that come to mind.
Always make sure names are spelled and pronounced correctly otherwise you might offend the news source. There are various places to check the spelling and pronunciation of a name. Include a pronunciation guide beside the name so anyone reading it will know the correct pronunciation.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbeen
Ex. (good) Mr. Nutbean
Who Was That?
If you start a story with an unknown name, the listeners who weren’t paying that much attention might have missed it. Make sure to give a reason why the person was in the news before his name so people will know that a name is coming. If the person you’re talking about has a title, it’s okay to use that first to arouse the listener’s interest.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbean fought off an invading ninja army today saving the town.
Ex. (good) An entire ninja army was fought off today by Mr. Nutbean. Authorities say his heroics saved the town.
Endless Titles
Sometimes titles can be long and complicated. If that is the case try to break it up into smaller parts so it all doesn’t have to go in front of the name.
Ex. (bad)
Ex. (good)
First Names First
When using someone’s name that is not well known, use the first and last name the first time you identify them. After that, identify them just by their last name.
Ex. (bad) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital John Smith is in stable condition.
Ex. (good) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital Smith is in stable condition.
Eliminate the Middleman
A middle name or initial isn’t used unless it is associated with that person.
Ex. (bad) Cam M Beddome
Ex. (good) George W Bush
Identification Please
Titles can help identify specific people. There can be lots of different people in the community with the same name as each other. Using the persons title can help identify which are which.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) Businessman Johns Smith won best person ever award.
Home Sweet Home
If you can’t find a person’s title to identify them, it’s also acceptable to use their address if it’s available to you. To protect the person’s identity, don’t give information that tells people exactly where they live. Instead give an area of the city like North-West or Mid-City.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) John Smith, of 2nd street, was awarded best person ever award.
Age Gracefully
Only use ages to help identify someone when it’s important to the story or you don’t have anything else to use. Consider using an age if the person is unusually old or young to be involved in what he’s involved in.
Ex. (bad) 25 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Ex. (good) 4 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Who Says So
Attribution is the source of the information in the newscast. It lets people know where you got the story. Attribution should always go before the information that’s said.
Ex. (bad) “I can’t believe my 4 year old son robbed a bank!” Said Jane Smith.
Ex. (good)Jane Smith can’t believe her 4 year old son robbed a bank
Say it with Says
There are lots of different synonyms for says but you don’t have to use a different word every time somebody says something
Ex. (bad) “It was a good day.” Exclaimed John Smith.
Ex. (good)”It was a good day” Said John Smith.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Don’t be afraid to use the same words more than once. If the word sounds right than use it, even if you’ve already used it. Use the natural conversation words that come to mind.
What’s in a Name?
Always make sure names are spelled and pronounced correctly otherwise you might offend the news source. There are various places to check the spelling and pronunciation of a name. Include a pronunciation guide beside the name so anyone reading it will know the correct pronunciation.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbeen
Ex. (good) Mr. Nutbean
Who Was That?
If you start a story with an unknown name, the listeners who weren’t paying that much attention might have missed it. Make sure to give a reason why the person was in the news before his name so people will know that a name is coming. If the person you’re talking about has a title, it’s okay to use that first to arouse the listener’s interest.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbean fought off an invading ninja army today saving the town.
Ex. (good) An entire ninja army was fought off today by Mr. Nutbean. Authorities say his heroics saved the town.
Endless Titles
Sometimes titles can be long and complicated. If that is the case try to break it up into smaller parts so it all doesn’t have to go in front of the name.
Ex. (bad)
Ex. (good)
First Names First
When using someone’s name that is not well known, use the first and last name the first time you identify them. After that, identify them just by their last name.
Ex. (bad) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital John Smith is in stable condition.
Ex. (good) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital Smith is in stable condition.
Eliminate the Middleman
A middle name or initial isn’t used unless it is associated with that person.
Ex. (bad) Cam M Beddome
Ex. (good) George W Bush
Identification Please
Titles can help identify specific people. There can be lots of different people in the community with the same name as each other. Using the persons title can help identify which are which.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) Businessman Johns Smith won best person ever award.
Home Sweet Home
If you can’t find a person’s title to identify them, it’s also acceptable to use their address if it’s available to you. To protect the person’s identity, don’t give information that tells people exactly where they live. Instead give an area of the city like North-West or Mid-City.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) John Smith, of 2nd street, was awarded best person ever award.
Age Gracefully
Only use ages to help identify someone when it’s important to the story or you don’t have anything else to use. Consider using an age if the person is unusually old or young to be involved in what he’s involved in.
Ex. (bad) 25 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Ex. (good) 4 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Who Says So
Attribution is the source of the information in the newscast. It lets people know where you got the story. Attribution should always go before the information that’s said.
Ex. (bad) “I can’t believe my 4 year old son robbed a bank!” Said Jane Smith.
Ex. (good)Jane Smith can’t believe her 4 year old son robbed a bank
Say it with Says
There are lots of different synonyms for says but you don’t have to use a different word every time somebody says something
Ex. (bad) “It was a good day.” Exclaimed John Smith.
Ex. (good)”It was a good day” Said John Smith.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Don’t be afraid to use the same words more than once. If the word sounds right than use it, even if you’ve already used it. Use the natural conversation words that come to mind.
Always make sure names are spelled and pronounced correctly otherwise you might offend the news source. There are various places to check the spelling and pronunciation of a name. Include a pronunciation guide beside the name so anyone reading it will know the correct pronunciation.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbeen
Ex. (good) Mr. Nutbean
Who Was That?
If you start a story with an unknown name, the listeners who weren’t paying that much attention might have missed it. Make sure to give a reason why the person was in the news before his name so people will know that a name is coming. If the person you’re talking about has a title, it’s okay to use that first to arouse the listener’s interest.
Ex. (bad) Mr. Nutbean fought off an invading ninja army today saving the town.
Ex. (good) An entire ninja army was fought off today by Mr. Nutbean. Authorities say his heroics saved the town.
Endless Titles
Sometimes titles can be long and complicated. If that is the case try to break it up into smaller parts so it all doesn’t have to go in front of the name.
Ex. (bad)
Ex. (good)
First Names First
When using someone’s name that is not well known, use the first and last name the first time you identify them. After that, identify them just by their last name.
Ex. (bad) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital John Smith is in stable condition.
Ex. (good) John smith was attacked on the street yesterday. According to the hospital Smith is in stable condition.
Eliminate the Middleman
A middle name or initial isn’t used unless it is associated with that person.
Ex. (bad) Cam M Beddome
Ex. (good) George W Bush
Identification Please
Titles can help identify specific people. There can be lots of different people in the community with the same name as each other. Using the persons title can help identify which are which.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) Businessman Johns Smith won best person ever award.
Home Sweet Home
If you can’t find a person’s title to identify them, it’s also acceptable to use their address if it’s available to you. To protect the person’s identity, don’t give information that tells people exactly where they live. Instead give an area of the city like North-West or Mid-City.
Ex. (bad) John Smith was awarded best person ever award.
Ex. (good) John Smith, of 2nd street, was awarded best person ever award.
Age Gracefully
Only use ages to help identify someone when it’s important to the story or you don’t have anything else to use. Consider using an age if the person is unusually old or young to be involved in what he’s involved in.
Ex. (bad) 25 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Ex. (good) 4 year old John Smith robbed a bank yesterday.
Who Says So
Attribution is the source of the information in the newscast. It lets people know where you got the story. Attribution should always go before the information that’s said.
Ex. (bad) “I can’t believe my 4 year old son robbed a bank!” Said Jane Smith.
Ex. (good)Jane Smith can’t believe her 4 year old son robbed a bank
Say it with Says
There are lots of different synonyms for says but you don’t have to use a different word every time somebody says something
Ex. (bad) “It was a good day.” Exclaimed John Smith.
Ex. (good)”It was a good day” Said John Smith.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Don’t be afraid to use the same words more than once. If the word sounds right than use it, even if you’ve already used it. Use the natural conversation words that come to mind.
These are examples of different leads in a newscast.
Types of Leads
Umbrella Lead – Vince Li found not criminally responsible for the death of Tim Mclean. The family of the victim is upset.
Chronological Lead – Vince Li was found not criminally responsible this morning for the stabbing and dismembering of another person on a greyhound bus. The family of the victim says justice was not served today.
Verb less Lead – Vince Li not criminally responsible.
Questions Lead – Is Vince Li criminally responsible? Experts say no.
Types of Leads
Umbrella Lead – Vince Li found not criminally responsible for the death of Tim Mclean. The family of the victim is upset.
Chronological Lead – Vince Li was found not criminally responsible this morning for the stabbing and dismembering of another person on a greyhound bus. The family of the victim says justice was not served today.
Verb less Lead – Vince Li not criminally responsible.
Questions Lead – Is Vince Li criminally responsible? Experts say no.
This is a radio news story I wrote from a newspaper article.
The president, chief medical director and two other members of an alleged assisted-suicide group known as the Final Exit Network were charged with the death of John Celmer, A fifty eight year old man from Georgia. They each face up to five years in prison if convicted. The group’s members pay a fifty dollar fee and must complete an application process. They are assigned an “exit guide” and are instructed to buy two full helium tanks and an “exit bag.” Authorities say it’s consistent with the way John Celmer died, suffocation due to inhalation. The group calls it “self-deliverance” and their vice-president, Jerry Dincin says that people want to do what they want to do and that they’re just there to help.
The president, chief medical director and two other members of an alleged assisted-suicide group known as the Final Exit Network were charged with the death of John Celmer, A fifty eight year old man from Georgia. They each face up to five years in prison if convicted. The group’s members pay a fifty dollar fee and must complete an application process. They are assigned an “exit guide” and are instructed to buy two full helium tanks and an “exit bag.” Authorities say it’s consistent with the way John Celmer died, suffocation due to inhalation. The group calls it “self-deliverance” and their vice-president, Jerry Dincin says that people want to do what they want to do and that they’re just there to help.
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