This lesson plan is designed to help students understand the importance of clarity in their writing so that they produce news articles that the reader can understand.
It’s based on the article For journalists, clarity is as important as accuracy which we suggest you read before adapting for your own purposes.
Introduction
The objective of this training day is to equip journalists with the tools to communicate complex information simply and effectively. While accuracy is the foundation of journalism, it loses its value if the audience cannot understand the message. This course focuses on stripping away jargon, mastering short sentence structures, and ensuring that every piece of reporting is accessible to the widest possible audience.
Sessions timetable
- 09:00–10:00 – Session 1: The pillars of clarity and accuracy.
- Aims: To understand the relationship between factual precision and clear communication.
- Presentation: Explain why accuracy alone is insufficient if the language is impenetrable. Discuss the MHM principle that if the audience doesn’t understand, the journalist has failed.
- Activity: Participants review a selection of news snippets and rank them based on how quickly the main point is understood.
- Discussion: Why do journalists sometimes prefer complex language over simple terms? Is it a lack of confidence or a desire to sound authoritative?
- 10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Identifying and removing jargon.
- Aims: To recognise technical and bureaucratic language that alienates audiences.
- Presentation: Define jargon and journalese. Show examples of how official sources (police, government, NGOs) use language to obscure meaning.
- Activity: Provide a list of jargon-heavy sentences (e.g., at this moment in time or utilised) and ask participants to rewrite them in plain English.
- Discussion: When, if ever, is technical language necessary in a general news report?
- 11:00-11:15 – Break
- 11:15–12:45 – Session 3: Mastering short sentences and active verbs.
- Aims: To practice the one-idea-per-sentence rule and the use of active voice.
- Presentation: Demonstrate how long, convoluted sentences lead to reader fatigue. Explain the impact of active verbs versus passive constructions.
- Activity: Take a 200-word academic or legal text and break it down into sentences of no more than 15 to 20 words each.
- Discussion: How does sentence length affect the rhythm of a broadcast script compared to a print article?
- 12:45–13:45 – Lunch
- 13:45–15:00 – Session 4: The art of the clear lead.
- Aims: To write introductory paragraphs that hook the reader without confusion.
- Presentation: Focus on the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Explain the importance of putting the most important information first in a clear, punchy way.
- Activity: Participants are given a set of raw facts and must write three different leads, focusing on maximum clarity for each.
- Discussion: Which lead was the easiest to read aloud? Why did some versions feel ‘cluttered’?
- 15:00-15:15 – Break
- 15:15–16:15 – Session 5: Explaining complex concepts.
- Aims: To learn how to use analogies and simple comparisons to explain difficult data or science.
- Presentation: Discuss techniques for converting expert speech into everyday language without losing the factual essence.
- Activity: Participants are given a complex data set (e.g., a local budget or a scientific discovery) and must explain it as if talking to a 12-year-old.
- Discussion: Does simplifying information mean dumbing down, or is it smartening up the delivery?
- 16:15–17:00 – Session 6: Peer review and editing for impact.
- Aims: To develop self-editing skills and give constructive feedback on clarity.
- Presentation: The importance of reading work aloud. If you stumble while reading, the sentence needs fixing.
- Activity: Swap the work produced in Session 5. Use a red pen to highlight any remaining foggy areas or unnecessary words.
- Discussion: What was the hardest habit to break today? How will you apply this to your next deadline?
Assignment
Participants are required to find a recently published news article (either their own or from a local outlet) that is more than 400 words. They must rewrite the entire piece, reducing the word count by 20% while increasing clarity. The final version must contain no jargon, use active verbs, and have an average sentence length of 15 words.
Materials needed
- Printed copies of the MHM article.
- Examples of jargon from local government or police news releases.
- Notepads and pens or laptops.
- A timer for the writing activities.
- Whiteboard or flip chart for brainstorming jargon alternatives.
Assessment
- Participation: Engagement in group discussions and willingness to share work.
- Performance: Ability to successfully translate jargon into plain English and maintain a short average sentence length in the final assignment.
- Accuracy: Ensuring that while the language is simplified, no factual errors are introduced during the rewriting process.
Summary
This lesson plan provides a structured approach to improving journalistic output by prioritising the needs of the audience. By focusing on brevity, the removal of jargon, and the use of active language, trainers can help journalists ensure their stories are both accurate and understood.
