Journalists must follow key grammar rules to write clearly. Avoiding common mistakes is vital. Explore these news writing style tips.
This Quick Guide provides essential rules for grammar and style specifically tailored for news writing. It’s based on the article Grammar for journalists, which we suggest you read before applying the checklist below.
- [ ] Identify the subject of your sentence: Always check if the main word is singular or plural. For example, use a singular verb for a bag of coconuts because the subject is the bag, not the coconuts.
- [ ] Treat collective nouns with care: Use a singular verb if a group acts as one body (the Government said it…). Use a plural verb if you are focusing on the individuals within the group (members of the team said they…).
- [ ] Use singular verbs for specific pronouns: Words like neither, none, each, and every must always be treated as singular subjects. For example, write none of the men was instead of none of the men were.
- [ ] Place modifiers correctly: Ensure that describing phrases are next to the word they actually describe. This prevents confusing or funny mistakes that can distract the reader from the facts.
- [ ] Adjust pronouns in reported speech: When you move from a direct quote to your own writing, change I to he, she, or they, and our to their. This ensures you do not sound like you are part of the story.
- [ ] Master the use of its and it’s: Use its to show that something belongs to an object. Only use it’s when you mean it is. This is one of the most common errors in journalism.
- [ ] Apply capital letters sparingly: Use them for names, places, and specific titles like the Prime Minister of India. Do not use them for general descriptions, such as talking about various prime ministers.
- [ ] Keep punctuation simple: Use commas to create a pause and help the reader, but do not use too many. If a sentence has many commas, it is usually better to split it into two smaller sentences.
- [ ] Use colons and semi-colons for lists: Use a colon (:) to start a list or introduce a quote. Use a semi-colon (;) to separate items in a list if those items already contain their own commas.
- [ ] Avoid exclamation marks and ellipsis: In news writing, your facts should provide the drama, not your punctuation. Avoid using three dots (…) as it can make it look like you are hiding information from the audience.
Summary
Accuracy in journalism is not just about facts; it is also about the way you use language. By following these ten rules, you will create stories that are easy to read and understand. Clear grammar builds trust with your audience and ensures that your message is never lost because of a simple mistake.
Related material