WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA

Writing for mass media

Writing for mass media

Slug

A slug is a word or combination of words and numbers appearing at the start of stories to identify each one and, where necessary, establish links with related stories. All stories require slugs. A slug is a tool that media and online clients use in word searches to retrieve stories that interest them. It is also a key tool within Reuters own systems to allow related content, including video and still images, to be packaged together (Barber 2011). The “slugline” is all in capital letters. All content that carries the same packaging slug (the section of the slug before the forward slash) will be automatically pulled together into a single news story package, in this case on the Russian economy.

Stylebook

A stylebook is a listing, usually indexed, of the style an entity will use in its production of whatever its product happens to be. For example: reporters, editors and others use the AP Stylebook as a guide for grammar, punctuation and principles and practices of reporting (Benger 2010). Although some publications use a different style guide, the AP Stylebook is considered a newspaper industry standard and is also used by broadcasters, magazines and public relations firms. It includes an A-to-Z listing of guides to capitalization, abbreviation, spelling, numerals and usage.

Attribution and Quotation

In journalism Attribution is the identification of the source of reported information. Journalists' ethical codes normally address the issue of attribution, which is sensitive because in the course of their work journalists may receive information from sources who wish to remain anonymous (Berganza-Conde, Oller-Alonso and Meier 2010). In print we hear people's voices through quotes, in broadcasting the voices are heard in the form of audio or actuality. The most important reason for not starting a story with a quote is that a quote itself seldom shows the news value of your story.

Visual Logic

Design is an extemely important, and often highly controversial, part of journalism (Ersoy 2010). Any news organization (including broadcasting) projects much of its personality and attitudes, as well as its content, through its design. People who design publictions and lay them out on a day-to-day basis must be highly skilled professionals.

The basic concepts of visual logic must be understood completely by a good designer. A good designer must also have some knowledge of the traditions and practices of the medium (newspapers, magazines, newsletters, web sites, etc.) in which he or she is working (Hirst 2010). For instance, a newspaper looks a certain way because the design is fulfilling a purpose for the publication. In the newspaper's case, this purpose is the efficient use of space in presenting news and information. A good designer has a sense of these purposes.

Understanding the concepts of publication design is also a requirement for an effective designer. Balance, contrast, focus and unity are the things a publication designer must keep in mind. The designer should also be able to work creatively within the confines and guidelines that a publication has established for ...