Nine Golden Rules of News-Speak
- KISS -
Keep it short and simple.
- Reading For Speed - Newspapers are a quick and informative read
- Never Use Three Words When One Will Do - Snappy headlines and stories are more exciting and like the second point will be much quicker to read
- Don't Repeat Yourself - Words that mean the same thing being put in the same sentence/headline are pointless.
- Use Active Verbs - 'Burglers took the corgi' works better than 'The corgi was taken by the burglars' - and it's shorter.
- Play With Language - Use Lots of Puns - Puns attract attention
- Make the Story Personal - Link news stories to specific people, this works especially well in Local Newspapers.
- Categorise People in The News - People are of the utmost importance in the news, and stereotyping adds an even greater interest.
- Things to Avoid -
- Cliches
- Opposition
- Euphemisms
- Word Making
- Being Too Chatty
- Unnecessary Use of Foreign or American Phrases
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