feature writing part 3
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
1/22
Feature Writing Part 3:
Creative Writing Devices
MEDIA WRITING LECTURE 7
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
2/22
Housekeeping Assignment #1 is due next Friday, 12PM
Remember: Softcopy (via TIMeS) & Hardcopy (assignment,turnitin report, assignment cover sheet and assignment
feedback form/marking scheme).
Where to hand in hardcopy? Box outside Block C Level 9 (Turnright at main glass door, walk towards toilets, at the end ofthe passageway, there is another glass door. There will be abox on the left corner by that glass door.)
No LECTURE OR TUTORIAL next week.LECTURE SLOT= consultation hours (10-11.30AM LT22, I will be there).
No need consultation? Spend your free week wisely andcomplete the assignment well.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
3/22
Good writing requires good editing
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
4/22
REVISING YOUR COPY
One of the hardest lessons to learn is how to reviseones copy.
Most writers, no matter how experienced they are,
find it difficult to put words to paper with exactlythe right order, tone and quality on the first try.
Therefore, they continue to polishand refinewhat
they have written.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
5/22
The refining process doesnt come easily.
Too many writers fall in love with their own language.
Once they commit it to paper, they cant bring
themselves to throw away this beautifully turned
phrase or that five-syllable word, or those scintillating,
unnecessary adjectives, no matter how inappropriate
the wording might be to the end product.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
6/22
As writers, you must train yourself to treat words as
tools, not as tiny mirrors to your own brilliance andwit.
You must force yourself to stand back from your own
copy and study it on its own merits.
In effect, each writer is his or her own worst enemy.
As any good professional can tell you, youll only begin
to improve as a writer only when you learn to spotyour mistakes and weed them out.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
7/22
Tips to better writing
Timecreates distance.
It allows personal enthusiasm to wane and
sharpens judgement.
If you arent pressed for time, take advantage of it.
Give yourself a mandatory cooling-off period.
Stack your copy and lay it aside for a few days.
When you come back to it, divorce your ego from
it. Try and read it as though it came from someone
elses computer.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
8/22
What can you do?
1. Examine your copy from several perspectivesaseditor, reader and critique.
2. Check the structureto see if it works.
3. Test each paragraph for flow and linkage to its
neighbours.
4. Study each sentence for weaknesses and make
sure you dont have any spelling or punctuationproblems.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
9/22
Remember that editing for the sake of editingaccomplishes nothingeach correction must improve
the copy.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
10/22
USEFUL WRITING DEVICES
Some standard writing devices that can strengthenyour material in the process of revision.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
11/22
Use the active voice
Its better to make the subject of your sentence dosomething rather than let something be done to it.
The man stabbed the childis stronger than
The child was stabbed by the man.
The first sentence is active and the second, passive.
But theres more to putting action in your verbsthan merely avoiding the passive voice.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
12/22
Be specific
Whenever possible, skip generalisation and beconcrete.
Tom Williams fell downis not as effective as
Tom Williams tripped on slab of concrete before losing
his balance and falling into the gutter
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
13/22
Continued
Never settle for the first verb that pops into yourhead, if theres a better one available.
Look for verbs that are closer to your meaning.
Dont use shoutif what you really mean is bawlor
bellowor roaror shriek.
Check your thesaurus for synonyms.
Thumb your dictionary and thesaurus for words
with precise meaning.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
14/22
Use imagery
Remember that verbs can be abstract too.
The wind blew through the treestells the readersomething but not enough.
Was it a soft breeze? Try imagery.The wind
whispered through the trees.
Perhaps it was a heavy windThe wind trashed thetrees.
Either verb gives the reader a better clue than thefirst to the strength of the wind.
But if you use imagery, be selective.
Imagery should be used to illuminate, not to showoff.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
15/22
Brighten your articles with quotes
Your readers like to hear people talk.
If you are writing a profile about a specific person,by all means let the reader listen in on what theprofile subject has to say.
Quotes enliven your copy even if you arent writinga profile.
Use quotes freely but, again, be selective. Your story should not be all about quotes; quotes
enhance not monopolise the story.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
16/22
Use characterisation
Not only do your readers want to hear a person talk,they want to see the person.
Bring the people in your article to life. Allow
your readers to picture them vividly.
Give them a glimpse like the following excerpt:
Ken Johnson is a short, rumpled little man who wears a
green beret and his collar turned up. He has a fat nose and
big ears and he looks a bit like one of the gargoyles on the
Cathedral Notre Dame.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
17/22
Continued A writer can also give readers insight into a persons
character by:
showing the person in action
demonstrating the persons attitudes and personality
presenting significant biographical details
showing the reactions and comments of other people
If you intend to delve into a subjects character, youshould get to know the subject well.
Be observant when you go in for an interview.
Watch for mannerisms.
Make notes of things that impress you visually, aswell as taking down the subjects words
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
18/22
Show, dont tell Dont be judgmental. If you tell a reader that a
person is friendly, or nervous, or angry, ordespondent, the reader may get some idea what youmean, but judgmental words represent differentthings to different people.
Show the reader. Show:
The shy smile
The shaking hands
The gritted teeth
The long, low sigh
Instead of writing The professor acted strange,sayThe professor drooled on his tie, staggered against the
blackboard and slid to the floor moaning
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
19/22
Describe scenes
Vivid, brief descriptions of scene and setting can helpimmensely in holding readers attention and propelling themthrough a story.
Description can create atmosphere or mood without telling astory.
The jukebox is almost hidden under the stuffed head of abuffalo. Someone has dropped in a quarter and punched that
old western favourite, Laras Theme, by Roger Williams.Diners are sipping screwdrivers and martinis and whittlingon two pound T-Bones. Every so often there is a choink assomebody pops a beer top.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
20/22
Writing Exercises
Be Specific: Write the following in more specificsentences
Alison injured her knee after falling.
Ken is sad after failing.
Melanie raised her voice to her sister, Candice, during a fight.
George was frightened by the sound.
Luke was happy after winning the competition.
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
21/22
Find more descriptive words for the following: at least 2
different words for each
Anger
Sad
Confusion
Upset
Content
Confused
Tired Run
Eat
Happy
-
8/12/2019 Feature Writing Part 3
22/22
Write a 1 paragraph description of the following person
to make her look attractive.
40-year-old Sandy Atkins
Short
Average weight, small waist, wide hips
Doesnt smile a lot Wears boring clothes
Wears glasses
Chin length brown hair with a blunt fringe
Blue eyes
Has a hairy mole on right cheek
Large nose with wide nostrils