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MODULE VI: A) MEDIA WRITING

•  Introduction:
• Language is a means of communication.
• We communicate not only with individuals but also with groups.
• We are acquainted with different modes of face-to-face communication.
• Now, it is time to learn how to communicate when the readers, listeners or viewers, who are in large numbers, are neither thoroughly known to us nor visible to us.
• In recent times, use of English language in print as well as electronic media has increased a lot.
• Even radio stations and TV channels in regional languages use not only spicy Hinglish (Hindi+English) but also broadcast and telecast programmes in English.
• Hence, the doors are open to the graduates with good command on spoken and written English.

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In this unit, you will learn about journalistic writing, editing for print and online media and how to write scripts for Radio and TV programmes.

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1. Journalistic Writing:

Writing Editorials:

• Newspapers in print contain a separate editorial page which throws some light on the issue of national and international importance.
• The editorial page is the soul of the newspaper.
• On this page, we come across sections like the editorial, the middle and letters to the editors.
• It is important to know that the structure, content and style of writing these sections on the editorial page are different from one another.

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Some Important Aspects of Editorial Writing:

What is an Editorial?

• An editorial is a type of journalistic writing that deals with a topic of contemporary relevance from a critical point of view.

Importance of Editorials:

• An editorial can be said to be the mouthpiece of the publishing company.
• Editorials spell out the stand taken by newspapers on issue of public interest, political or otherwise.
• They are means of attracting readers to the newspapers.
• A good editorial is both thought provoking and readable.
• Editorials are generally written using first person plural pronouns.
• They are precise and well-organized.
• The editorials are written by specialists working with the newspapers and are published in the name of the editor.

Purpose of Editorials:

• The purpose of editorials is generally to build public opinion in a constructive way towards common but important issues.
• They are not only food for thought to the readers but also appeal to their emotions.
• Editorials may aim to seek attention of the readers to the evils/ wrongdoings in the society.
• An editorial may also be written in a humorous or sarcastic way.
• An editorial may also deal with praise of a person or it may also be a light comment on the news.

The Structure of Editorials:

• An editorial is a king of journalistic essay.
• It is divided into three parts: 1) Introduction

2) Main body

3) Conclusion

• The first part introduces readers to the topic related to the prevalent situation at the national or international level and arouses curiosity among them. It also makes statements reflecting the opinion of the editor.
• The statement made in the introductory part is logically developed with supporting examples in the main body of the editorial. The readers are acquainted with the editor’s point of view.
• In the last part, main points are summarized or concluding remarks are made.

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Types of Editorials: Based on purpose, form, content and level, editorials may be of different types:

Pre-requisites of Editorial Writing:

1. Good command over English language.
2. Well-developed vocabulary.
3. Craftmanship (the level of skill shown by somebody in making something beautiful)
4. Constant practice and judicious use of language.
5. Planning/ Outline of the draft.

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II) Editing for Print and Online Media:

• In journalistic writing, we also need to edit the matter written or typed in English language.
• In order to bring uniformity in the use of language and style, the matter received needs to be checked for errors in spelling, grammar (syntax) and punctuation.
• It is to be made newsworthy and should be made to fit into the space available.
• The role of the editor is to increase the comprehensibility of the news item and make it catchy.
• Sometimes re-writing may be necessary.
• The matter can be simplified for clarity of meaning or may be reframed.
• Thus, the editor tries to bridge the gap between the sender of the matter (e.g. news reporter) and receiver of the matter (reader).

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Some tips for Editing:

• Our knowledge and skill related to spelling, punctuation, precis writing and paragraph writing are really put into use in editing.
• The English language used in news items, articles and advertisements in newspapers should be correct in terms of spelling. (One should be consistent either with British or American spelling system, vocabulary, contractions, grammar and punctuation.)
• The tools required for editing the typed matter are:
• 1) A standard Dictionary of English.
• 2) A Thesaurus (A book that is like a dictionary, but in which the words are arranged in groups that have similar meanings)
• 3) A Red Pen

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Punctuation Marks:

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PROOF READING:

• Editing entails thorough proof-reading.
• The proof is a printed copy of the document to be corrected before the final copy.
• Though the main focus of editing and proof-reading is to find out and correct errors in typography and use of language, editors and proof-readers are not only expected to just check spelling, punctuation and grammar, they also need to pay attention to style and format of writing, layout, content, cross-references, omissions and inconsistencies in typography- line space, margin, font type, font size, inconsistent use of abbreviations, page numbers etc.
• The art of proof-reading is extremely hard and requires utmost concentration.
• There is a great demand for editors and proof-readers in the job market.

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Some commonly used Proof Correction Symbols:

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Online Editing (Electronic Editing):

• Online editing is introduced to the final year students of graduation on the assumption that most of the prospective graduates are computer literates.
• All the English language skills important for editing of a print copy are essential for online editing.
• Besides, one needs to master the use of MS Word for the Desk Top Publishing (DTP).
• Electronic editing involves making changes in computer documents.
• Along with font type, font size, use of words in capitals or bold letters, line spacing, margin, alignment, page layout, reference style, header and footer, the editors have to check and insert cross-references wherever necessary.
• The technicalities of editing online include functions like column breaks (as newspapers articles are in columns)

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Online Editing (Electronic Editing):…Continued

• The process of adding or deleting or replacing a word is easily carried out with the help of MS Office.
• The options like synonyms (on right click on a word) increase the possibility of using words appropriate to the context.
• The users have a habit to rely entirely on the “spell check” feature.
• We need to be aware of spelling, meaning and usage of British as well as American words.
• The corrections made can be shown using different colours and both rough and fair drafts should be saved.
• The editors need to ensure that content is logically arranged.
• The editors should not entirely change the content of the writer but only intervene when required. Editing is not re-writing.

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III) SCRIPT WRITING FOR RADIO AND TV:

• The media of radio and TV are not at all new to you.
• Different programmes are broadcast on radio and telecast on TV.
• There are news, talks, interviews, panel discussions, radio and TV plays, commentary, reading of a literary work and educational programmes.
• For presentation of all such programmes, there is an important role to play for Radio Jockeys (RJs) and Video Jockeys (VJs).
• The presentation in all these programmes should be a planned one.

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III) SCRIPT WRITING FOR RADIO AND TV:

• Radio being an audio channel of communication, spoken form of language is used with the support of sound effects and music, etc.
• TV is both audio and visual, so spoken language is aided by visuals, colours and sound effects, background setting, music, acting etc.
• The programmes on radio and TV have to be written before they are orally presented.
• Time is one of the important factors which necessitate writing a script for different programmes.

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The Structure of a Radio Script:

• Almost every word presented on radio or TV is written beforehand.
• Just like any writing process, script writing includes developing an idea, outline, research, selection of materials, sequencing of points, message planning etc.
• Care should be taken to include all the relevant information in the script.
• The script for any radio programmes is mainly divided into three important parts:
• 1) Introduction: meant to seek immediate attention of the listeners.
• 2) Background Information: involves important content.
• 3) Conclusion: intends to sum up.

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Tips for Writing a Radio Script:

1. In order to keep listeners away from rustling of the papers, it is essential to write/type on one side of the paper only with at least one inch margin from all sides. The writing should be legible. (Clear enough to read)
2. The selection of font size and font type should be large enough and easy-to-read.
3. There is also need to leave enough (double) space between the lines to avoid confusion, to add new information and to mark pronunciation of new words.
4. A radio script should be written to read aloud. A well written script should use clear and correct everyday language.
5. Attention should be paid towards choice of words, their pronunciation and length of sentences and effective use of punctuation.

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III) SCRIPT WRITING FOR TV:

• TV telecast needs a team for scriptwriting, news reading, camera, lights and sounds etc.
• Here, as the words are to be matched with pictures, a script writer usually has to write the script after the video clips are edited.
• Besides, in order to avoid news readers to keep looking down at their scripts, the facility to read the script projected on a screen (not visible to the viewers) is made available to them.
• The tips given for writing a radio script are also applicable for writing a TV script.

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III) SCRIPT WRITING FOR TV- Some Important Points:

• The main difference is that TV being an audio-visual medium, there is no need to clarify whatever can be easily heard or seen by the viewers.
• Important details can also be shown through graphics such as maps, diagrams, graphs or tables or through captions.
• For some TV programmes, information is shown on TV screen with captions (names and titles of speakers) and subtitles (text versions of words spoken in a news bulletin or a programme)
• It is necessary that the spoken words should complement the visuals.

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Thank you

very much

all for

patient listening