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Writing for the Mass Media, 5/E
James G. Stovall, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

ISBN-10: 0205335470
ISBN-13: 9780205335473

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2002
Format: Paper; 432 pp
Status: Out of Print

Suggested retail price: $57.80
This item is out of print and is no longer available for purchase.



Through five editions, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the most clear and efficient introductions to media writing.

This successful text offers a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students the information and opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a workbook-style format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing — inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations — and covers all major areas of media, including the World Wide Web.

  • Abundant exercise material at the end of each chapter allows students to practice the principles of good writing and offers them the challenge of writing in a media environment.
  • The necessities of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style provide students with foundation material from which to build.
  • Numerous examples of the concepts provide students with models from which to learn.
  • Information on legal aspects and problems of writing for the media gives students a complete picture of writing for publication in the media.
  • A section on graphic presentation of information explains the basic rules and conventions of using graphics in this visually oriented age.

  • New chapter on writing for the World Wide Web (Ch. 6) details many of the sub-structures — such as labels, headlines, introductions, and summaries — and discusses the implications of writing in a linking and hypertext environment.
  • Brief essays on writing by professionals in five chapters (Chs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9) give students insight into the requirements of the professional environment.
  • New emphasis in Chapter 1 on becoming a professional writer increases the professional orientation of the book to prepare students more effectively for their future careers.
  • A simplified design contains figures within a standard, boxed form in order to distinguish them more easily from other text.

Most chapters conclude with “Points for Consideration and Discussion,” “Further Readings,” “Conclusion,” and “Exercises.”

Preface.


1. Sit Down and Write.

What Is Good Writing?

Getting Ready to Write.

Techniques for Good Writing.

Writing for the Mass Media.

Becoming a Professional.

Text and images.

And Finally...



2. Basic Tools of Writing.

Grammar.

Punctuation.

Spelling.

Computer Aids.

Words, Words, Words.

Writing with Clarity.



3. Style and Stylebook.

Accuracy.

Clarity.

Brevity.

Journalistic Conventions.

Journalistic Style.

Stylebooks.

The Associated Press Stylebook.

Language Sensitivity.



4. Writing in the Media Environment.

News Culture.

News Values.

Gathering the News: Five Ws and One H.

Personal Sources.

Interviewing.

Observation.

Stored Sources of Information.

The Importance of Accuracy.

Deadlines.

Ethical Considerations.

Writing by Example.



5. Writing for Print.

Characteristics of News Stories.

The Inverted Pyramid.

The Lead Paragraph.

Developing the Story.

Using Quotations.

Other Story Structures.

Editing and Rewriting.

Feature Styles.

Parts of a Feature Story.

Thinking Graphically.

Information for Graphics.

Forms of Graphic Presentation.

Challenge of Writing.



6. Writing for the Web.

The Audience.

Creating Content.

Concision.

Thinking Laterally.

E-mail.

Wanted for the Web: Writers and Editors.



7. Writing for Broadcast.

Selection of News.

Characteristics of Writing.

Story Structure.

Broadcast Writing Style.

Broadcast Copy Preparation.

Putting Together a Newscast.



8. Writing Advertising Copy.

A Love-Hate Relationship.

The Field of Advertising.

Beginning the Process: Needs and Appeals.

The Audience.

The Product.

The Advertising Situation.

Copy Platforms.

Writing the Ad.

Elements of a Print Ad.

Writing Advertising for Broadcast.

Other Media.



9. Writing for Public Relations.

The Work of the PR Practitioner.

Characteristics of the PR Practitioner.

Writing News Releases.

Letters.

Company Publications.

Oral Presentations.



10. Writers and the Law.

The First Amendment.

Defamation.

The Plaintiff's Case.

Affirmative Defenses.

Privacy.

Copyright.

Trademark.

Advertising.

Broadcast Regulation.



Appendix A. Copy-Editing Symbols.


Appendix B. Grammar and Diagnostic Exams.


Appendix C. Problem Words and Phrases.


Appendix D. Advertising Copy Sheets.


Index.

    Now in its Sixth Edition, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the clearest and most efficient introductions to media writing on the market.

    This successful text offers a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students the information about media writing and the opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a workbook-style format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing—inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations—and covers all major areas of media, including the Internet. Its basic and practical approach make it an excellent text for an introductory writing course.

  • 0205449727Writing for the Mass Media, 6/E
    Stovall
    © 2006 | Allyn & Bacon | Paper; 384 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205449727 | ISBN-13: 9780205449729
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Now in its Seventh Edition, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the clearest and most effective introductions to media writing on the market.

     

    This text, which has been used at more than 450 colleges and universities during its life, offers clear writing, simple organization, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students information about media writing and opportunities to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a text-workbook format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing–inverted pyramid and other story structures for print, emerging forms for the Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations. The basic and practical approach of Writing for the Mass Media makes it an excellent text for an introductory writing course.

     

  • 0205627846Writing for the Mass Media, 7/E
    Stovall
    © 2009 | Allyn & Bacon | Paper; 384 pages | Estimated Availability: 12/19/2008
    ISBN-10: 0205627846 | ISBN-13: 9780205627844
    Brief Description

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students contact your Pearson Higher Education representative.


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