Page 69 - Convergent Journalism an Introduction Writing and Producing Across Media

Rules for Understandability

and organized our thoughts properly and cleaned it up to make it right
before we said anything. The writing, however, remains informal, and
it’s just fine to use more casual terms like kids instead of children.

Word Choice
Good writing is all about good word choice and proper ordering of
those words. Since this is journalism, the first rule for word choice
is accuracy. The word has to be right. Not close to right. Not nearly
right. Absolutely right. Next, the word has to be appropriate for the
context. Remember the audience only gets to hear the information and
only gets to hear it once. Every word that you use has to be clear and
understandable instantly in the context in which you’re using the word.
Whatever meaning a word conjures in the minds of the listeners is the
way you should use it. That means defending word choice based on its
fourth dictionary definition probably isn’t going to cut it. Use words
the way they’re commonly used.

Numbers 59
There are certain rules for how to write numbers so that an announcer
can read them. On the other side of the coin, it’s critical to understand
that people generally don’t take in and process numbers well when
they only get to hear them. Keep numbers at a minimum in broadcast
copy so you don’t leave the audience behind. Obviously, if the story is
about a tax increase, you’re going to have to use numbers. But think
about whether the audience needs to know that 96 out of 100 students
passed the test, or whether you could just say almost all. Along those
lines, rounding numbers can help an audience better understand the
material. For example, it’s easier to process the phrase more than a
thousand than it is to grapple with 1,012. Even in television, where it’s
possible to put numbers on the screen where people can read them,
minimize the use of numbers.

Contractions
We speak in contractions, and generally it’s acceptable to use them
in broadcast copy, with two exceptions. First, do not use them if the
meaning might be missed. The difference between can and can’t is an
announcer’s ability to pronounce the t sound clearly and the audience
to hear that—although the meanings are opposite. Other contractions
with not don’t present as much of a problem. So always spell out can not.