USEFUL WRITING TIPS FOR YOUNG JOURNALISTS

Writing makes a special contribution to the way people think. When we write we compose meaning. We put together facts and ideas and make something new, whether in an article or news analysis.

Simply put, writing is defined as a composition of meaning using words, with a view to communicating with other party or parties (Oluloyin:2003).

However, when one writes using the effective writing styles/guide, it becomes more enjoyable for the writer to write, and on the other hand, enjoyable for the reader(s) to read. For writing as an art of communication to be achieved, especially when writing for the Print Media, the following tips below should be taken into consideration.

1.      Outline your points on piece of paper before embarking on any writing journey. It is not advisable to write straight from the head as there is likely to be incoherency on the way.

2.      The Lead: When writing for the print media, a Lead otherwise known as introduction must be considered. A news report without the lead is just like a human without a head. Thus, the lead must be the summary of the text written stylishly to attract and compel your reader(s) to read all other succeeding paragraphs of your news reports.

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There are various types of lead, but a few will be overviewed

·        News Peg Lead: This lead is tagged on a recent event and it reminds readers of the event, while going further to the background analysis of the event. E.g.

The June 14 bomb blast at the Police Headquarters, Abuja, is an indication that Nigeria is a country with no security for lives and properties.

·        Quotation Lead: This lead begins with a quotation (a significant statement) that summarizes the theme of the news report. However, it is advisable not to make it too long to avoid boredom. E.g.

“The 2011 elections may not produce the change we all yearned for, if the fundamental problems bedevilling the nation’s growth and development are not urgently addressed."

This was the remark of Comrade Abiodun Aremu, a socio-political analyst, while speaking at a one-day workshop organized by the Students' union of Lagos State University, yesterday.

·        Question lead: This lead asks a question in order to rouse the reader's interest, especially when the reported news concerns a problem of public interest. E.g.

Where is Sanni Abacha? Where is Idi Amin? Where is Laurent Gbagbo? Where is Saddam Hussein? Where is Osama bin Laden?

These are the questions perpetrators behind the recent incessant bombings in Nigeria should ponder over.

·         Literary Allusion Lead: This lead makes reference to holy books and other literary works, especially the ones which are generally familiar to the average reader. E.g.

A popular biblical aphorism says, 'whatever a man sows, he reaps.’

This should be a signpost, the self-acclaimed Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram should be reminded of over their senseless killings of innocent Nigerians.

·         Descriptive Lead: This lead gives a detailed description of an event
summarily, to capture the reader's attention. E.g.

Indeed, Sunday, July 26, 2011 may have been an unfortunate day for Mr. Ndubuisi Agali, as he was allegedly brow-beated to death by men of the Nigerian Police Force.

·         Direct Address Lead: With this Lead, a direct approach is employed to refer to the readers or listeners. It is also known as 'Second Person' Lead because of the frequent use of the Second Person Personal Pronoun (You). E.g.

You have heard plenty about computer viruses and Trojan horses that arrive via shared files or e-mail attachments. But a greater danger may lurk: Your PC could be leaving your files wide open to hackers whenever it's connected to the internet (Biodun Bayo, "Is your PC open to hack attach? In the Punch of Wed., Jan. 5, 2000 pg. 20.)

3. The Body: A good story possesses a body sub-divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph usually contains major points, as it’s not proper to embed a paragraph with several points or statements. If you embed a paragraph with several points or statements, it will make it too complex for your readers to comprehend.

4. Employ the KISS formula (Keep it short and simple) in your stories. Avoid wordiness of your sentences. Don’t use several words phrases where one word would do.

Below are suggested single word alternatives for the common wordy phrases enjoyably used by most young writers (Oluloyin: 2003).

WORDY PHRASES/COMPLEX WORDS= SINGLE/SIMPLE WORDS

1.   Due to the fact that= Because

2.   In view of the fact that= Why

3.   The reason for= Since

4.   For the reason that= For

5.   Despite the fact that= Though

6.   Regardless of the fact that= Although

7.   As regards= Regarding

8.   In reference to= About

9.   Concerning the matter of= Concerning

10.                It is necessary that= Must

11.                There is need for= Should

12.                Has the ability to= Can

13.                On the subject of= On

14.                Has the capacity for= Can

15.                Is in a position to= Can

16.                For the purpose of= To

17.                In close proximity to= Near

18.                Make contact with= Meet

19.                In the not too distant future= Soon

20.                As a matter of fact= Actually

21.                Aware of the fact that= Know

22.                To the effect that= That

23.                The way in which= How

24.                In the event that= If

25.                Be that as it may= Nevertheless

26.                With reference= About

27.                Concordance= Agreement

28.                Despite the fact that= Although

29.                Prior to= Before

30.                Remains= Body

31.                Interred= Buried

32.                Destroyed by fire= Burnt

33.                Urban people= City people

34.                Canine= Dog

35.                Apprehension= Fear

36.                Obsequies= Funeral

37.                Domesticated quadruped= Horse

38.                Rendezvous= Meeting

39.                Lucre= Money

40.                Lucrative= Gainful

41.                Veracity= Truth

42.                Traditional= Normal

43.                Verisimilitude= Authenticity

44.                Lady= Woman

45.                Larceny= Theft

46.                Contiguity= Nearness

5.      The use of active voice is livelier than the passive voice. Thus, it saves time and space. E.g.

Passive Voice: The Keynote address was delivered by Prof. A.O.K. Noah, an Associate Professor at the faculty of Education, Lagos State University, LASU, yesterday.

Active Voice: Prof. A.O.K. Noah, an Associate Professor
at the faculty of Education, Lagos State University, LASU, delivered the
Keynote address, yesterday.

Analysis: It is clear that the first sentence in the passive voice contains 22 words, while the second in active voice contains 20 words. Therefore, going by the rule of brevity, the sentence in active voice is preferable.

6.      In the case of feature writing and other forms of creative articles, a
conclusion is needed to tie the ideas of the writer together, thereby
indicating to the reader ·that the story has ended. Thus, Innocent Okoye (2006:65) states: a conclusion can take the following forms

• A repetition of the key idea in the intro or body of the article.

• A summary of the theme.

• A call for action, as in the case of expose features which points out
something wrong.

• Quotation or philosophical statement.

• An indication that the anomaly pointed out in the intro has been rectified.

• A forecast or cautious optimism.

• A poser or question relevant to the theme of the article.

For further studies read

·         Feature Writing: Theory and Practice by Innocent Okoye.

·         Fundamentals of News Reporting and Writing by Teslim Lawal.

·          Principles of News and Feature Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Effective News and Feature Writing by Iyiola Oluloyin.

Prepared by @ikennaasomba13 on the occasion of Generational Live Broadcast #Genlivecast, on Friday, 17 July, 2015, by 5pm