Description

Features

• A focus on becoming a professional writer (ch.1) increases the professional orientation of the book to prepare students more effectively for their future careers.
• An emphasis throughout the text on the four characteristics of media writing: accuracy, clarity, precision and efficiency.
• Simple, straightforward explanations of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style rules that provide students with the basic foundation on which to build good writing skills.
• Abundant exercise material at the end of each chapter that enable students to practice the principles of good writing in a media environment.
• Exercises that deal with some of the most common writing problems, such as use of the comma and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
• Information on legal aspects that give students a complete picture of writing for publication in the media.
• Numerous examples of the concepts that provide students with models from which to learn.

New To This Edition

• Features a new chapter that emphasizes the techniques and thought processes students must use when writing in the media environment.
• Updates the chapter on the Web toinclude numerous innovative exercises that develop students’ writing skills, taking into account many of the structures and demands of the Web environment.
• Explains the concepts of lateral reporting and the importance of microcontent and the principles for creating it.
• Provides new examples of good writing, against which students are encouraged to model their own writing.
• Updates exercises found in many of the chapters, including those involving grammar and style, allowing students to put content into practice.
• Expands the glossary to provide students with easy access to definitions of terms used throughout the book.
• Offers an updated Instructor’s Manual, which includes additional material for lectures and discussions as well as additional exercise material.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface  xi

Chapter 1: Sit Down and Write

• What is Good Writing?
• Getting Ready to Write
• Basic Techniques
• Writing for the Mass Media
• Professionalism
• The Changing Media Environment
• And Finally . . .

Chapter 3: Basic Tools of Writing

• Grammar
• Sentences
• Parts of Speech
• Common Grammar Problems
• Punctuation
• Spelling
• Computer Aids
• Words, Words, Words
• Writing With Clarity

Chapter 4: Style and the Stylebook

• Accuracy
• Clarity
• Brevity
• Journalistic Conventions
• Journalistic Style
• Stylebooks
• The Associated Press Stylebook
• Language Sensitivity
• Conclusion

Chapter 5: Writing in the Media Environment

• The News Culture
• Elements of News
• The Importance of Accuracy
• Deadlines
• Ethical Behavior
• The Reporting Method
• Sources of Information
• Personal sources
• Interviewing
• Observation
• Stores Sources of Information
• Writing by Example

Chapter 6: Basic News Writing I

• The Inverted Pyramid
• The Lead Paragraph
• Developing the Story
• Using Quotations
• Characteristics of News Stories
• Transitions
• Attribution
• Short Sentences, Short Paragraphs
• Third Person
• An Attitude for Accuracy

Chapter 7: Basic News Writing II

• Other Story Structures
• Types of News Stories
• Editing and Rewriting
• Writing Feature Stories
• Characteristics of Feature Writing
• Parts of a Feature Story
• The Challenge of Writing

Chapter 8: Writing for the Web I

• Characteristics of the Web
• Writing Characteristics and Techniques
• Forms of Writing
• Microcontent
• Weblogs
• A Full Arsenal

Chapter 9: Writing for the Web II

• Journalism Expanded and Accelerated
• Demands of the Audience
• Characteristics of Web Writing
• Backpack Journalism
• Lateral Reporting
• Web Packages
• Wanted for the Web: Writers and Editors

Chapter 10: Writing for Broadcast by Mark Harmon

• Broadcast Style
• Broadcast Copy Preparation
• Television News Story Formats
• Television News Story Scripts
• Putting Together a Newscast
• Conclusion

Chapter 11: Writing Advertising Copy

• A Love-Hate Relationship
• The Field of Advertising
• Beginning the Process: Needs and Appeals
• The Audience
• The Product
• The Advertising Situation
• Copy Platforms
• Writing the Ad
• Elements of a Print Ad
• Writing Advertising for Broadcast
• Web Advertising
• Other Media
• Conclusion

Chapter 12: Writing for Public Relations

• The Public Relations Process
• An Organization’s “Publics”
• The Work of the PR Practitioner
• Characteristics of the PR Practitioner
• Writing News Releases
• Video News Releases
• Letters
• Company Publications
• Oral Presentations
• Conclusion

Chapter 13: The Writer and the Law by Matthew Bunker

• The First Amendment
• Defamation
• The Plaintiff’s Case
• Affirmative Defenses
• Privacy
• Copyright and Trademark
• Advertising
• Broadcast Regulation
• Conclusion

Courses

Media Writing  (Mass Communication / Public Relations / Film)

Previous Edition(s)

• Writing for the Mass Media, 6/E
  Stovall
  ©2006  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 384 pp  |  Out of Print
  ISBN-10: 0205449727  |  ISBN-13: 9780205449729
    Brief Description  | 

  

  Now in its Sixth Edition, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the clearest and most efficient introductions to media writing on the market.

  This successful text offers a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students the information about media writing and the opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a workbook-style format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing—inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations—and covers all major areas of media, including the Internet. Its basic and practical approach make it an excellent text for an introductory writing course.

  More Info
  

Next Edition(s)

• Writing for the Mass Media, 8/E
  Stovall
  ©2012  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 360 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205043445  |  ISBN-13: 9780205043446
  Suggested retail price: $85.00  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $63.75  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  Now in its Eighth Edition, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the clearest and most effective introductions to media writing on the market.

   

  This text, which has been used at more than 450 colleges and universities during its life, offers clear writing, simple organization, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students information about media writing and opportunities to develop their skills as professional writers. With a focus on a converged style of media writing, and converting that style into real work, this eighth edition maintains its classic and effective text-workbook format while staying ahead of the curve and preparing students for their future careers.

   

  More Info
  

• Writing for the Mass Media, 8/E
  Stovall
  ©2012  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 360 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205043445  |  ISBN-13: 9780205043446
  Suggested retail price: $85.00  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $63.75  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  Now in its Eighth Edition, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the clearest and most effective introductions to media writing on the market.

   

  This text, which has been used at more than 450 colleges and universities during its life, offers clear writing, simple organization, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students information about media writing and opportunities to develop their skills as professional writers. With a focus on a converged style of media writing, and converting that style into real work, this eighth edition maintains its classic and effective text-workbook format while staying ahead of the curve and preparing students for their future careers.

   

  More Info
  

Downloadable Instructor Resources

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Instructor's Manual and Test Bank (Download only) for Writing for the Mass Media, 7/E
Stovall
©2009  |  Pearson  |  On-line Supplement; 167 pp  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0205651445  |  ISBN-13: 9780205651443

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PowerPoint Presentation for Writing for the Mass Media, 7/E
Stovall
©2009  |  Pearson  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0205651461  |  ISBN-13: 9780205651467

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Exam Copy for Writing for the Mass Media, 7/E
Stovall
©2009  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 384 pp  |  Out of Stock
ISBN-10: 0205651453  |  ISBN-13: 9780205651450
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Study Card for Journalism and News Writing
Aucoin
©2010  |  Pearson  |  Study Card; 2 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205755542  |  ISBN-13: 9780205755547
Suggested retail price:  $9.80Net price: $7.35  (What's this?)More Info

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Allyn & Bacon Digital Media Archive for Communication, Version 3.0, 3/E
Allyn & Bacon
©2005  |  Pearson  |  CD-ROM Only; 32 pp  |  Out of Stock
ISBN-10: 0205437095  |  ISBN-13: 9780205437092
Suggested retail price:  $0.00Net price: $0.00  (What's this?)More Info

CPS RF Classroom Performance System
eInstruction
©2010  |  Pearson  |  Electronic Supplement  |  Available
ISBN-10: 020577864X  |  ISBN-13: 9780205778645
This online resource is available at no cost.
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iClicker Classroom Response System
iClicker & Allyn & Bacon/Longman
©2008  |  Pearson  |  Electronic Supplement  |  Available
ISBN-10: 0205594506  |  ISBN-13: 9780205594504
This online resource is available at no cost.
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InterWrite PRS RF (Personal Response System)
InterWrite PRS & Allyn & Bacon/Longman
©2005  |  Pearson  |  Electronic Supplement  |  Available
ISBN-10: 0205436951  |  ISBN-13: 9780205436958
This online resource is available at no cost.
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MySearchLab -- Standalone Access Card
Pearson
©2010  |  Pearson  |  Access Code Card  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205699413  |  ISBN-13: 9780205699414
URL:  http://www.mysearchlab.comSuggested retail price:  $41.20    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $30.90  (What's this?)More Info

News Resources for Mass Communication -- Access Code Card
Allyn & Bacon
©2006  |  Pearson  |  Access Code Card  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205491235  |  ISBN-13: 9780205491230
URL:  http://www.ablongman.com/mc_newsSuggested retail price:  $26.80    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $20.10  (What's this?)More Info

Pearson Allyn & Bacon Film Study Site Update (open Access)
Allyn & Bacon
©2011  |  Pearson  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0205737595  |  ISBN-13: 9780205737598
This online resource is available at no cost at http://www.abfilmstudies.com.
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What Every Student Should Know About Avoiding Plagiarism
Stern
©2007  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 80 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0321446895  |  ISBN-13: 9780321446893
Suggested retail price:  $9.80    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.35  (What's this?)More Info

What Every Student Should Know About Citing Sources with APA Documentation: Updated for APA Sixth Edition, 2/E
Anderson, Carrell & Widdifield
©2010  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 80 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205795811  |  ISBN-13: 9780205795819
Suggested retail price:  $9.80    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.35  (What's this?)More Info

What Every Student Should Know About Citing Sources with MLA Documentation, Update Edition
Greer
©2010  |  Pearson  |  Paper  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205715117  |  ISBN-13: 9780205715114
Suggested retail price:  $9.80    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.35  (What's this?)More Info

What Every Student Should Know About Listening
Brownell & Wolvin
©2010  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 64 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205778070  |  ISBN-13: 9780205778072
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What Every Student Should Know About Practicing Peer Review
Trim
©2007  |  Pearson  |  Paper  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0321448480  |  ISBN-13: 9780321448484
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What Every Student Should Know About Preparing Effective Oral Presentations
Cox
©2007  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 96 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205505457  |  ISBN-13: 9780205505456
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What Every Student Should Know About Procrastination
Hoffman
©2008  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 64 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205582117  |  ISBN-13: 9780205582112
Suggested retail price:  $10.60    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.95  (What's this?)More Info

What Every Student Should Know About Researching Online
Munger & Campbell
©2007  |  Pearson  |  Paper  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0321445317  |  ISBN-13: 9780321445315
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What Every Student Should Know About Study Skills
Pearson Longman
©2007  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 72 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0321447360  |  ISBN-13: 9780321447364
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What Every Student Should Know About Using a Handbook
Murray
©2009  |  Pearson  |  Paper; 80 pp  |  Instock
ISBN-10: 0205563848  |  ISBN-13: 9780205563845
Suggested retail price:  $9.80    Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.35  (What's this?)More Info

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• Writing for the Mass Media, CourseSmart eTextbook, 7/E
  Stovall
  ©2009  |  Pearson  |  Electronic Book; 384 pp  |  Available
  ISBN-10: 0205648150  |  ISBN-13: 9780205648153
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