Regino | Lanciola | Rocamora CMA 111

writing
STYLES
GUIDELINES

INGREDIENTS
OF FRANKLIN
GOOD WRITING GAVANA ; VOLTA
WRITING STYLES
WRITING STYLES
 EXPOSITORY

• One of the most common types

• Explain a concept to a wider audience
• Focuses on accepted facts about a topic
• Includes statistics and evidences
a

e.g. Textbooks, Recipes, New Stories,

How-To Articles, Business, Technical, or Scientific Writings
 DESCRIPTIVE
• Often found in fiction but appears in non-fiction as well
• Author paints a picture in words
• Author might employ metaphor, or other literary devices to describe impressions via
five senses
• But the author does not try to convince the audience of anything or explain the scene-
merely describing it

e.g. Poetry, Journal/Diary Writing,

Descriptions of Nature, Fictional Novels/Plays
 PERSUASIVE
• Main style of writing used for academic papers
• Author tries to convince the audience of a position or belief
• Contains the author’s opinions and biases
• Includes justifications and reasons provided by the author as
evidence of the correctness of their stand

e.g. Cover letters, Editorial newspaper articles, Reviews of items,

Letters of Complaint, Advertisements, Letters of Recommendation
NARRATIVE

• Used in almost every longer pieces of writing

• Whether fiction or non – fiction
• Author is trying to construct and communicate a story
• Complete with characters, conflict, and settings

e.g. Oral histories, Novels, Poetry, Short stories, Anecdotes

 GUIDELINES OF WRITING
Media writers follow a set of procedure, whether covering a daring rescue high
above Times Square or writing a TV commercial for Nike: First, they select the essential
element or elements of the message (news story, commercial, press release,
advertisement). Then, they choose words to convey the message accurately, clearly and
briefly. (Norcia, n.d).
ACCURACY

• Words and names must be spelled correctly.

• Addresses must be verified.
• Words must be used as the dictionary defines them.
• Sources must be quoted without distortion.
• Figures and computations must be double checked.
ATTRIBUTION

• sourcing a quote or a statement

• When there is no attribution, the reporter, newspaper or station is
considered the source.
BACKGROUND

• Materials that the writers provide for the readers

in order to understand the event.
• Comes from sources, reporter’s knowledge, from checking references
and previously run stories filed in the broadcast or newspaper library.
 BALANCE AND FAIRNESS

• Balance means that all sides in a controversy are given their say.
e.g. In a political campaign, for example, all candidates are given enough
space and time to present their major points.

• Fairness means that all involved in the news are treated without favoritism. If
someone makes a charge against another person and the allegation is
reported, the journalist is obliged to seek the response of the person charged.
It requires that the reporter tie charge and reply together whenever possible.
 BREVITY

• Knowing what to leave out and condensing what’s left

• Carefully selecting the material to use and by choosing action verbs and
concrete nouns
CLARITY
• Be clear to make the the information understandable
• Organize the material
• Short, crisp, to-the-point beginnings
• Logical story structure

• TIPS:
• Avoid excess punctuations
• Too many commas can confuse the readers
• Stay away from adjectives and adverbs
• Watch out for long sentences linked with and, but, for
• Rewrite if tinkering doesn’t clarify
COMPLETENESS

HUMAN INTEREST

IDENTIFICATION

NEWS POINT
NOVELTY

OBJECTIVITY

VERIFICATION

SUMMING UP
 INGREDIENTS OF GOOD WRITING
INGREDIENTS OF GOOD WRITING
There are a number of ingredients in writing which successful
writers have mastered (Mencher, 1998).
 SIMPLE SENTENCES
Writers often try to include too much information in one
sentence resulting to the creation of lengthy ones. This may cause
some problems to the reader in the absence of rhythm and
readability.

Rhythm is the proper pacing of the order of sentences

according to their length– long, short, a bit longer, very short. The
idea of this is to create variety. This, in turn, will enhance readability.
 SIMPLE WORDS
The English language has a vast array of short, vivid words
that everyone understands as well as useful verbs and nouns for
the writer’s choosing.
Show vs. Tell – let the reader visualize what you are trying to
say rather than just telling them.
 SIMPLE WORDS

Provide specifics – always be specific in giving details so as to

help readers get a clear picture of what you are writing about.

Avoid abstractions – An abstraction is something which exists

as an idea such as patriotism, equality, affection– it has no agreed-
upon meaning. These words must be directly tied to a specific
event or situation.
 CONVICTION

The readers must come away from the piece

convinced that the writer has written it accurately and
thoroughly.
 NATURAL STYLE

A well-written story must have a writing style

suitable for the event. The style of writing should fit the
subject.
 REFERENCES

Mencher, M. (1998). Basic Media Writing. (n.p.): McGraw-Hill College.

Jeffrey, R. (n.d). About Writing: A Guide.