Associated Press Guide to News Writing: The Resource for Professional Journalists

You should have more than one guide, including some kind of in-house directions, sitting on your shelf. This must be one of them.


I thought I knew everything there is to know to get by!   February 7, 2002
 2 out of 7 found this review helpful

How wrong I was. I was aghast at the list of writers' flubs I've committed over the years; appalled that no-one else has ever pointed out to me; and shocked that, afeter 15 years of learning this language, I still have so much to learn. Thank you R J Cappon!


Details, and Details about how to write well.   June 3, 2003
 2 out of 7 found this review helpful

I barely received my copy, and the
advice/help on being a better writer
is pretty good. One thing that stands
out in the book is the issue of vulgarity,
and that is simply a no when it comes
to writing journalism. The other areas
are well explained, and i tell any one
who is reading this small paragraph, get it,
it is worth it! It will definitely help you
get more creative with your writing, this is
like the bloom's taxonomy of writing.


excellent refresher--but have your dictionary handy   December 12, 2007
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

A superb refresher for veteran journalists--and light-hearted. Cappon is as much a humorist as an editor and instructor. Besides its wealth of ideas and corrections, the guide is a fun read. But be within arm's reach of your dictionary as you proceed. Cappon assumes such terms as "rococo," "fatuous," "tautology" and "pedagogue" are in your casual vocabulary. And of course you know what "bowwow language" is. (Are you certain?)

Daniel Elton Harmon
www.danieleltonharmon.com



A Great and Essential Read for New Writers   January 9, 2008
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I love this book! As a working journalist for some national newspapers the sentiment here reminded me of what my editors told me when I started out. I also work as a writing professor and started using this as mandatory reading for my newspaper and magazine writing class. The basic premise of the book is to write tightly, clearly and to rid one's work of irritating nonsense and twaddle. It's the only way to get published so the advice is best followed. The examples of news writing that the author offers are also very helpful.