How to Write Like a Reporter

Growing up in newsrooms with tough editors has turned out to be a great advantage in all kinds of writing. Today, I’m a tough editor myself – and proud of it! A few quick tips:

Lead with the meat. Particularly in radio and TV news, when time per story is so short, it’s best to start right up front with the main point to be made – it’s meat first, then the necessary attribution. Example:

  • Yawn:  “A new report released by the Widget Manufacturers of America says Oregon leads the nation for the number of widgets produced per capita.”
  • Better: “Oregon leads the nation for the number of widgets produced per capita.” (Then, introduce the source in the next sentence: “A new report from the Widget Manufacturers of America says…”)
  • Or have some fun with it: “Could Oregon be the widget capital of the nation? A new report says maybe so.”

Trim and tighten every sentence. Learn to make any point with the fewest possible words. Why say “…in the spring of the year” when you can say “spring” – ? I just edited a story in which the reporter said a new law "...went into effect at the first of the year." I changed it to “…took effect Jan. 1."
Use the least lofty, most conversational tone for your audience. Some writers adopt what I call “automotive disease” – why say “automobile” if “car” is correct? Why say “utilize” if “use” will do? Why say “additionally” if you can use “and” – ? What is it about business writing that makes everybody want to spout big, boring words?
Use quotes as punctuation, not explanation. Even for the most complex story, the reporter can usually summarize an issue more effectively than the people they’ve interviewed. As a writer, you do the explaining and let your sources’ quotes be the color that livens it up. Example:

  • You can tick off the basics – three-alarm fire, five engines, 30 firefighters, started at 5 a.m., still under investigation, etc. The fire chief’s more interesting – and so is your story – with his/her quotes about the mood, the scene, the rescues of people or pets, what’s different or interesting or perplexing about this case.

Read it aloud. Go into any radio or TV newsroom near deadline and you’ll hear the reporters mumbling to themselves, reading their stories out loud. Listening to your copy is a surefire way to determine whether it flows and makes sense, and pinpoint what might be missing.