Associated Press Guide to Newswrit, 3/e: Amazon.ca: Arco: Books

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Book Description

This practical handbook is the ideal writing style guide for all reporters, writers, editors, and English and journalism students. It covers all the essentials of good news writing, according to the styles and guidelines set forth by the Associated Press -- with lively examples from today's newspapers. This authoritative guide includes:

Professional advice about crafting a good feature story

In-depth reviews of important principles in news writing

Expert guidance on writing concise, informative copy, source citations, and more.

Clear and instructive discussions of specialized styles.

From the Publisher

This official guide, The Associated Press Guide to Newswriting, is recognized as the standard professional resource for both novice and experienced news writers.

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8 Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars How to avoid an attack of The Elongated Yellow Fruit, May 26 2004

By

Celia Redmore "Celia Redmore" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Associated Press Guide to News Writing (Paperback)

"The Associated Press Guide to News Writing" makes more points in 136 pages than do most writing books four times the size. One would expect no less from a master news editor like Rene Chappon. The formula Cappon follows is to write a very brief explanation of a problem; an example of the problem; a sentence dissecting the example; a rewriting of the problem sentence; and a summary of the topic. The result is almost always memorable. Consider this typical section on The Elegant Variation (capitalized words below are italicized in the original):

***
Writers who believe that the repetition of plain words within shouting distance of each other is crude take off on synonym safaris.... It's all the more grotesque as there are few true synonyms and the author may introduce misfits:

"The mayor's task force was asked to meet with the owners of the STRUCTURES, discuss whether they wanted their BUILDINGS preserved, and recommend ways to adapt older EDIFICES to new use."

STRUCTURES could be anything and EDIFICES is too grandiose; the story concerns commercial and apartment buildings. If the author didn't want to repeat BUILDINGS, a pronoun was the way out:

"...to meet with the owners of the buildings, discuss whether they wanted THEM preserved, and recommend ways to adapt the older ones to new uses."

The same craving for daintiness will convert elephants to PACHYDERMS, dogs to CANINES, cats to FELINES, tigers to STRIPED PREDATORS and cars to VEHICLES. Petroleum becomes BLACK GOLD, snow becomes WHITE POWDER (a justly forgotten poet once called it "God's dandruff"), a banana turns into THE ELONGATED YELLOW FRUIT.
***

The benefit of this style is that Cappon's admonitions pop up unasked whenever we commit one of the sins he identifies. I find that "elongated yellow fruit" frequently superimposes itself on my more tortured prose.

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5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional guide to newswriting, Jan 21 2004

By

TanjaTorino (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Associated Press Guide to Newswrit, 3/e (Paperback)

AP Guide to Newswriting would have to be the most informative and thorough book on newswriting I have come across. It is clear and concise and deserves a prominent position on every journalists bookshelf. With the excellent price tag why hesitate?
Now, if only I could get all newswriters' to follow Cappon's example. Thanks Cappon for keeping it short and sweet!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Details, and Details about how to write well., Jun 3 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Associated Press Guide to Newswrit, 3/e (Paperback)

I barely received my copy, and the
advice/help on being a better writer
is pretty good. One thing that stands
out in the book is the issue of vulgarity,
and that is simply a no when it comes
to writing journalism. The other areas
are well explained, and i tell any one
who is reading this small paragraph, get it,
it is worth it! It will definitely help you
get more creative with your writing, this is
like the bloom's taxonomy of writing.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Details, and Details about how to write well.
I barely received my copy, and the
advice/help on being a better writer
is pretty good. One thing that stands
out in the book is the issue of vulgarity,
and... Read more

Published on Jun 3 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Journalists
This book is a must reference for journalists. It is small enough to be read and re-read many times. Read more

Published on Nov 23 2002 by Anthony M. Frasca