Notes that writing compelling news stories about abstract topics is always challenging, especially for student journalists. Suggests showing the impact of an abstract concept, giving the story a human face, providing an understandable scale, and "drawing a picture." (RS)

To determine how journalists at two metropolitan newspapers view good writing and writing coaches, questionnaires were distributed to all full-time newsroom personnel (including journalists and editors) involved in preparation of news at two large dailies under the same ownership in the same city, in July, 1986. The total number of respondents was…

Interviews rookie reporter Rob Karwath, recent graduate of the University of Kansas journalism school, concerning his education, school newspaper experience, internships, and current job at the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. (SR)

Introduces the transitivity model of textual analysis, assesses its application to news reports, and discusses the critical linguistic background in which it has proved popular. (JK)

Discusses topics for humorous feature stories dealing with significant questions that confront teenagers and can increase reader interest. (SRT)

Compares the content of the new genres of newsletters--the in-house letter focusing on writing quality--with what writing coaches have said are the major writing problems. Indicates that the newsletters may need refocusing and that, while coaches said news writers' chief problems are conceptual writing improvements, newsletters focus on mechanics…

America's founders granted to the press, alone among private institutions, the task of protecting the Constitution. Washington, DC correspondents are aware of this responsibility and proud of their independence. (SR)

Offers tips on the use of direct and indirect quotations in feature articles based on speeches and interviews. (RL)

Examines the accuracy of newspaper headlines as compared with the corresponding story content for four Philadelphia daily newspapers. Results indicate that dailies with the tabloid format had a higher percentage of misleading and ambiguous headlines than the standard papers. (JMF)

Reveals inconsistencies in the news services' style books. Points out problems in teaching journalistic writing style. (RL)

Provides a journalism teacher's handout that summarizes the essentials of the "Associated Press Stylebook." (RL)

Provides examples of lively, interesting yearbook copy and outlines 12 rules for writing effective copy. (GT)

Argues that the present form of news writing, the "pyramid style," has become obsolete, especially for school newspapers that are published less frequently than once a week. Indicates that readers are interested in the journalist's viewpoint and in a "journalistic conclusion" to stories. (TJ)

Outlines five steps involved in conducting and writing about an interview: selecting a topic, backgrounding, interviewing, writing the interview story, and writing a sidebar that complements the main article. Tells how a journalism student proceeded through these steps in writing an article for his school newspaper, and presents his article. (GT)

Discusses types of sports information, other than the score of past games, that is of interest to readers; offers tips on finding angles for sports stories. (GT)