Six tips as you revise your news story draft.

1. More Journalism Writing Tips
By Prof. Mark Grabowski
________________________________
markgrabowski.com

2. Revising:
Dos and Don'ts

3. 1. DON’T use double spaces after each
period. Use just one space.

4. 2. DON’T use rhetorical questions: Tell your
reader what you have learned. Don’t ask the
reader questions. Sometimes simply rephrasing
solves the problem.
– NOT: What happens when a roommate’s behavior
crosses the lines?
– INSTEAD: When a roommate’s behavior crosses
the line, the housing office may let a student
change roommates.

5. 3. DON’T read minds. Tell readers only what you
know.
– NOT: She feels that arguments can be solved…
– INSTEAD: She said arguments can be solved.

6. 4. DON’T put your question or your interview in
the story.
– NOT: When asked about roommate swaps, she
said they are rare.
– INSTEAD: She said roommate swaps are rare.

7. Speaking of said … DO say said. It’s easy. It’s
fun. It’s cheap. Use it again and again… Nobody
will mind. Nobody will notice because said just
disappears on the page. Try it at home!
– NOT: stated or commented or went on to say…
– NOT: explained, pointed out, noted, suggested,
claimed, admitted or confessed … unless you
really mean it.

8. 5. DON’T put your opinions or judgments in the
story. Stick to facts.
– NOT: In the end it was better for her to move.
– INSTEAD: In the end, she moved.

9. 6. DO re-read your work and cut out unneeded
words. Be ruthless.
– NOT: Students have many reasons as to why they
wish to change roommates.
– INSTEAD: Students change roommates for many
reasons.