ABSTRACT
Newswriting depends on broadcast journalists using a style of writing that conveys meaning, relays facts, and engages the viewer. While mechanics may vary slightly between newsrooms, the fundamentals of split page formats, using recognizable slugs, and writing in a conversational style are universal; they should be considered mandatory before one leap into the nuances of creating stories and newscasts. The basic mechanics of the news copy must be considered before broadcast journalists address other newswriting matters, such as how to construct a lead and how to create the best phrases. One of the most frustrating aspects of writing for broadcast journalism is that the traditional punctuation taught in English composition may be discarded. The essence of rewriting news stories from wire services is in relaying the relevant information as concisely as possible. Writing in conversational style means writing for the ear.
