ABSTRACT
To be effective, writing must flow from established style and traditions — a consensus, really —developed through the centuries to help the people speak and write with precision and clarity and thus communicate well. First, understand that journalists nationwide generally consult two authorities on language usage. Second, a disclaimer: the people will encounter in this chapter what may look like rules for good writing. Much writing in journalism takes the direct route of subject + verb + direct object because such simple sentences communicate clearly and (no minor consideration) they are easy to write on deadline. Nouns and pronouns change form in four ways — number, gender, person, case. Using adverbs properly is crucial to clear writing, yet many beginner writers overlook adverbs’ importance. Construct adverbs in comparative form by using more or less in front of other adverbs: more or less gradually, more or less carefully. Run-on sentences simply run on too far.
