This six-week module provides an outline for teaching students how to improve their writing skills by enhancing precision, style, and clarity in journalistic writing.
It is designed for those starting off in journalism who want to understand how to write news stories that will inform the audience by using clear and understandable language.
The resources to support this module have been published on Media Helping Media. We recommend that trainers planning to adapt this module for local needs first read the resources listed in the module outline below.
Week 1: Foundations of effective news writing
- Objective: To build understanding of news writing basics with a focus on structure, clarity and impact.
- Topics:
- News structure and audience needs
- Balancing clarity and accuracy
- Writing clear, concise news articles
- Resources:
- Activities:
- Write and revise a 25-word news intro
- Identify and rewrite ambiguous leads
- Group critique of sample intros
Week 2: Grammar, language and style
- Objective: To enhance understanding of grammar and style in a professional newsroom context.
- Topics:
- Grammar rules for journalists
- Consistency in style and tone
- Sentence construction and active writing
- Resources:
- Activities:
- Grammar correction challenge
- Rewrite copy to meet house style
- Workshop: spotting style clashes in published stories
Week 3: Precision and word choice
- Objective: To develop word awareness and improve the journalist’s ability to write with precision and impact.
- Topics:
- Choosing the right words
- Reducing wordiness
- Writing with energy and intention
- Frequently confused words
- Resources:
- Activities:
- Rewrite bloated copy for clarity
- Identify ineffective word choices in sample reports
- Peer-edit a story with a focus on precision
Week 4: Voice, verbs and sentence economy
- Objective: To encourage active sentence construction and the removal of unnecessary complexity.
- Topics:
- Active vs passive voice
- Sentence economy and flow
- Clarity in subject-verb-object structure
- Understanding why some news stories are rejected
- Resources:
- Activities:
- Convert 10 passive sentences into active form
- Cut 30% of a sample news article while retaining meaning
- Reflective journal: when is passive appropriate?
Week 5: Style pitfalls and ethical word use
- Objective: To identify and eliminate clichés, jargon and militaristic metaphors while improving ethical sensitivity in language.
- Topics:
- Avoiding journalese and overused phrases
- Avoiding adjectives and adverbs
- Avoiding idioms in news writing
- Recognising unintentional bias in word choice
- The ethics of tone and terminology
- Resources:
- Activities:
- Replace jargon and clichés in sample texts
- Edit a military-themed news story for neutrality
- Group discussion: the influence of metaphor in shaping audience perception
Week 6: Editing, attribution and final drafts
- Objective: To apply editing techniques, understand attribution protocols and prepare professional-standard copy.
- Topics:
- Spotting and correcting errors
- Avoiding plagiarism through proper attribution
- Editing for flow, clarity and impact
- Resources:
- Activities:
- Edit and submit a final feature piece
- Peer check for attribution and grammar issues
- Group review and feedback on final submissions
Summary
This six-week module equips journalists with the advanced skills needed to write clearly, accurately and responsibly. Participants progress from mastering basic structures to refining their editorial judgement, applying ethical language practices, and editing for publication.
