ABSTRACT
The richness and diversity of the English language give the people many choices when selecting words to use. Recognizing that many scientific and business terms are not understood by readers, newswriters striving for clarity must serve as translators. Unfortunately, because newspapers publish mostly the day after the event, the people report today what happened yesterday, and in past tense. Historic moments can be captured in hard-news stories and lifted to new heights by stylists with an eye for detail. Advancing beyond minimal standards for acceptable writing and becoming a stylist requires people to achieve clarity through simple, yet lively and colorful language. A simple vocabulary of short words helps the people construct sentences that yield their meaning on a single reading. Even slang is appropriate for some stories but don’t slide into street talk unacceptable on front pages. .
