Principles for writing
Clear and effective writing is crucial for devcom, ensuring accurate message delivery and audience
engagement.
ABCs (Accuracy, Brevity, Cleanliness) Clarity; putting things in context, selecting the most
accurate and appropriate words and approach
TOR (Topic, Objective, Audience) Effectiveness; focus sa TOR
9 key points highlighted for clear n effective:
Think-Straight-Choose-Carefully
Paragraphs Revise Naturally, Nouns Overwrite
1. Think first, then write: Plan with subject, objectives, and audience in mind (story pitch).
2. Be straightforward: Get to the point quickly and avoid ambiguity.
3. Choose words carefully: Favor common, specific, and concrete words. Avoid for easier reading:
1. Verbal Deadwood:
Avoid phrases that can be replaced with simpler words:
o "For the reason that" --> "Because"
o "In the event that" --> "If"
o "With regard to" --> "About"
o "Tendered his resignation" --> "Resigned"
o "In the immediate vicinity" --> "Nearby"
Eliminate unnecessary words:
o "The fact that" --> "That"
o "A large number of" --> "Many"
o "It is my opinion that" --> "I think"
o "Due to the fact that" --> "Because"
2. Redundancy:
Remove repeated words or phrases:
o "Dead body" --> "Body" (context will clarify)
o "Free gift" --> "Gift" (it's already free)
o "Completely full" --> "Full"
o "Advance prediction" --> "Prediction" (all predictions are in advance)
3. Word Choice:
Favor simple, familiar words over complex or jargon:
o "Utilize" --> "Use"
o "Disseminate" --> "Spread"
o "Impeccable" --> "Flawless"
o "Elucidate" --> "Explain"
Avoid abstract, vague, or technical terms:
o "Synergy" --> "Cooperation"
o "Paradigm shift" --> "Change in approach"
o "Granular" --> "Detailed"
o "Hegemony" --> "Dominance"
4. Figures of Speech:
Use metaphors and similes sparingly, ensuring they clarify, not confuse:
o "Life is a journey" --> Okay
o "Her eyes were like sapphires" --> Might confuse readers unfamiliar with sapphires
Avoid overly complex or obscure figures of speech that require decoding.
5. Adjectives:
Use adjectives strategically to add essential details, not just fluff:
o "The beautiful flower bloomed" (good)
o "The incredibly gigantic, super-colorful flower bloomed" (too much)
Replace excessive adjectives with strong verbs or nouns.
4. Structure your sentences carefully Aim for 17-20 words per sentence
5. Keep your paragraphs short 3-4 sentences per paragraph.
6. Revise and rewrite: Polish your drafts for clarity and conciseness.
7. Write naturally: Use active voice and familiar language.
8. Focus on nouns and verbs: Build sentences from basic structures and add words meaningfully.
9. Don't overwrite: Prioritize content based on story objectives and avoid excess information.
"Omit needless words": Follow Strunk and White's advice for clear and concise writing
Avoid overly complex language and long sentences. They increase effort for
readers, leading to potential abandonment. More links
Embrace simple words and concise sentences. Fewer words require less effort to
decipher, enhancing message retention. Less links
Mills and Walter's Five Principles of Good Writing
Audience Define your simple concrete and familiar Structure Attractively
Know your audience (informed but uninformed).
Tailor content to their level of understanding.
o Define your purpose clearly.
Every element in your writing should contribute to achieving that purpose.
o Prioritize simple, concrete, and familiar language.
Avoid jargon and complex vocabulary.
o Structure your writing with clarity.
Follow the "tell them what you'll tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told
them" approach.
o Present your work attractively.
Follow format guidelines and consider visual elements for different audiences.
Levels of Editing
Levels of Editing
Your devcom story will undergo multiple stages of editing, shaping it into a polished final product:
Assignment/Tasking
Media writers receive a beat or topic, then identify and develop compelling stories.
Story Pitch:
Consisting of topic, audience, and objectives, this pitch guides story development and receives
initial feedback.
Story/Script Draft 1 and Revisions:
Data gathering, processing, and transformation build the story's foundation, with revisions
incorporating feedback.
-AV/Pub Draft 1 and Revisions
For audiovisual formats, script approval precedes media material creation, followed by revisions
based on feedback.
Publication/Posting
The finished story is released for audience consumption, fostering engagement and feedback.
Maximizing Circulation/Distribution:
Strategies are implemented to reach the target audience and encourage interaction.
Feedback and Redesign:
Audience feedback informs the next round of story/program design and development.
Substantive Editing:
Focuses on story content.
Involves fact-checking, authenticity verification, comprehensiveness, adherence to house
style and editorial values.
Considered "major edits" as they often require significant story changes.
Editor's responsibility to ensure the best version reaches the audience.
Mechanical Editing:
Focuses on technical soundness and adherence to language rules.
Involves checking grammar, house style (punctuation, units of measure), and readability.
Important to learn from edits and avoid repeating mistakes.
Editor's Tasks:
Conducting additional fact-checks.
Checking for article redundancy.
Designing story lineups.
Banking stories for future use.
Ensuring regular story supply.
Managing writers and contributors.
DEVC 11 and Other Devcom Courses:
Outputs will receive ratings, comments, and editing marks (mostly copyediting
marks for mechanical editing).
Familiarize yourself with copyediting marks for efficient revisions.
Editing feedback is critical for improvement as a writer and potential editor.
Nature and characteristics of the print media
News Stories:
Defined as timely, important, and interesting factual information.
Function: inform, update, present "fresh" stories concisely.
News Story Types:
o Coverage: community/local, national, regional.
o Chronology: advance, spot/coverage, follow-up.
Advance story
Provide a general idea of what the event is based on: (1) key personalities who
will attend the activity, (2) expected output, result, or outcome of the event, (3)
comparisons with previous similar events, (4) highlights of the event, (5) context
in which the event will be conducted
Spot or coverage
Provides closest real time coverage updates on the event such as: (1) members of
the event organizing committee, (2) representatives of units or organizations
critical to the event, (3) participants, witness, or observers of the event
Follow up
Released after the event
Feature Stories:
o Emphasize human interest - anything relatable to readers.
o Function: educate, highlight human aspects, provide in-depth discussion.
o Structure: less rigid, uses literary devices, often timeless.
News Story Structure:
Inverted pyramid:
o Lead: presents key info at the beginning.
o Body: provides details.
o Ending: summarizes or offers closing remarks.
Benefits of inverted pyramid:
o Readers grasp the gist quickly.
o Editors can easily shorten articles.
o Easier headline writing.
o Efficient information organization.
Elements of News:
The Timeliness of the Proximity mine, Prominently while in Conflict.
Human Interest loses Novelty-Progressively;
Consequentially due to the Humor, Suspense, and Significance
11 Elements
Timeliness: Recentness or immediate relevance.
Proximity: Geographic closeness to the audience.
Two types of proximity:
Physical distance: Geographic closeness of the event to the audience.
o Example: Residents of Los Baños more interested in local news than news
from Koronadal.
Psychological distance: Cultural ties or shared identity with the subject of the
story.
o Example: Filipinos interested in achievements of those with Filipino
heritage abroad.
Prominence: Public figures or major events involved.
Conflict: Opposing ideas or interests.
Human Interest: Emotional impact or relatable aspects.
Oddity/Novelty
> low value male
> Wont sffect or change people or their lives
> form ze stuff of which news good for publication anytime, is made
Progress
> people layk seeing improvements happening sa kung nasan sila
Consequence
Suspense
Humor
> Sense of freshness that is recent and relevant
Significane/Impact
Writing a Lead
> lead a promise of great things to come and a promise to be fulfilled
(Stanley Walker)
>> Functions of ze lead
Attract readers
Convince to read all
Sets the stage
>> Types of lead
(6) SSQQND
(4) Oddly Direct Bullets into the Staccato
(3) TGL
Summary
- Capsule of the story
- 5Ws 1H
- Default
Question
- Asks a provoking question
Narrative
- Takes on a perspective nd provides an account
Descriptive
- Describes in a picturesque manner
Quotation
- Uses a striking direct quote
Striking statement
- Raising Hood irony
; paradox
Oddity introduction
- Unconventional intro of the story
Direct address
- Talks directly to the reader
Bullet intro
- Short, direct, impactful
Staccato
The teaser
Gen statement
Lit allusion
Qualities of a Good Lead:
Simple Bizarre Appventure
VDA
Simplicity: Straightforward and concise, avoids elaboration or forced catchiness.
Brevity: Only essential words, no over-explanation.
Appropriateness: Fits the topic, publication, and target reader.
Vivacity: Lively, catchy, or impactful to capture attention.
Directness: Clear and straightforward, avoids beating around the bush.
Attractiveness: Elements that engage readers (e.g., questions, quotes, vivid descriptions).
Writing the Body:
Extension of the Lead: Maintains reader engagement and expands on key points.
Expository nature: Explains and elaborates on points introduced in the lead.
Same order as Lead: Points discussed in the body follow the order presented in the lead.
Crisp writing: Short sentences, unity, coherence, and emphasis.
Cardinal Rules of Writing the Body:
United Coch of Emphasis
Unity: Single theme or main idea throughout the article.
Coherence: Logical flow of ideas, smooth transitions, no extraneous material.
Emphasis: Clear highlight of key points and impactful expression.
Types of Exposition for the Body:
CNI
Inquiry method: Results leading to inquiry, or causes followed by effects.
Chronological method: Time-based organization, past to present or vice versa.
Narrative method: Scene-setting followed by inference drawing.
Ending Your Devcom Story (Notes Style A):
News Stories:
No fancy endings needed. Following the inverted pyramid structure allows ending
anywhere, even after the lead.
Feature Stories:
Last impression matters! Craft an ending with lasting impact using the "recency effect."
Four Ending Types:
SSC-U
1. Summary: Ties back to the lead, offering closure.
o Example: "With a contented sigh, the great man closed his eyes, his legacy secured."
2. Stinger: A shocking twist or unexpected conclusion.
o Example: "The shy Ramon, beloved by all, was unveiled as the ruthless criminal sought
in five provinces."
3. Climax: Stops at the resolution moment in chronological stories.
o Example: "Boy Toothpick's buzzer-beater shot swished through the net, crowning the
provinciano champion."
4. Un-ending: Emphasizes unanswered questions and continuing impact.
o Example: "Operation Oplan X ended without concrete evidence, leaving Sarmiento's guilt
shrouded in mystery."
