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News is such information which happens all around the world. We obtain information on local, national and international affairs. Politics, sports, business, entertainment, science, technology, holiday‘s lifestyle, fashion and many more stories of human interest are covered by newspapers. Reading the news fulfills the desire of civil society to understand what is going around. While making news different aspects are taken into consideration. They are the news story, topic relevance, text size, number of details and socio-cultural values that are assumed to be shared by the readers. But the key role is played by the language of news. Before making any news the writer has to understand the linguistic community or the target readers.
News is written keeping in mind different variables such as Topic, Participants, relationship and Purpose. This is what makes the news more sensible and prominent. Topic is the subject of the news which is likely to be surprising, exciting and provoking for the readers.
The language of news should be understood by people from different educational and cultural backgrounds. Sentences should be read smoothly, should not be dull, and should capture the life of an occasion.
Language has a specific significance in news writing. Language is concerned with the exact manner in which words and phrases are presented in writing. When you read a passage aloud, every word or phrase that you hear constitutes the language. So it is clear that the written language is prepared on the basis of the reader's interest and ability.
“ROBERT GUNNING”
The Techniques of Clear Writing is a book written by Robert Gunning in 1968. He emphasizes ten principles for clarity in writing. The book is recommended for writers and journalists who are in the field of newspaper and magazines.
Following are the techniques given by Robert Gunning for clear writing:
Principle 1: Keep Sentences Short
The length of sentences must be short and average to avoid boring your readers. Length of 15 to 20 words per sentence would be a good average.
Short sentences are not enough by themselves. Long sentences are not the leading cause of confused writing.
Unclear words block clarity.
Trim the heavy words and unclear words from your writing.
Example:
> "Four aircraft passengers, the pilot, and three people travelling in a car were killed when a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron aircraft hit an electric power line and crashed near Nadi Airport this week. " (long sentence, harder to understand)
> " Eight people died when an aircraft crashed near Nadi Airport this week. The pilot and four passengers died when their twin-engine Beechcraft Baron hit a power line. Thr plane then crashed into a car on a road near the airport, killing three more people." (multiple shorter sentences, easier to understand)
Principle 2: Prefer the simple to the complex
Minimise the complex form of writing. You need both simple and complex forms for clear expression.
Most of the time, the complex forms may be best. So, if the right word is a big word, go ahead and use it. But if a shorter word does the job, use it.
Example:
Instead of saying "infrastructure", we can use roads, railways, and other services.
Principle 3: Prefer the familiar word
Tell it simply and straight which is obtained by avoiding intricate sentence structure and by using familiar words You can write with style but still be clear. So you have to avoid difficult words, jargon, foreign words, slang, or too many idioms.
Example:
Indigent means poor... so use the word poor. OR use the word killing instead of unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of human life.
Principle 4: Avoid unnecessary words
Letters can be cut in half and still say the same thing.
Unnecessary words usually create confusion.
Example:
Rather than saying: "The girl runs quickly", write: "She sprints"
Instead of saying "The screen door didn't shut noisily", write "It banged shut"
Principle 5: Put action in your verbs
Always try writing with an active verb. Readers want to read everything in present tense.
A sentence is in the active voice when the subject does the acting. It's in the passive voice when the subject is the recipient of the action.
Example:
"The table was hit by the man" (passive voice)
"The man hit the table" (active voice)
Principle 6: Write like you talk
Some grammarians would insist that "write like you talk" is poor grammar. They prefer "write as you talk."
In some way storytelling and writing are completely different, but the writer would follow the way he/she talks.
"Write like you talk" also has its limitations when it comes to news writing. Newspapers — many at least — still prefer that news stories be written in inverted pyramid style and in an impersonal manner.
Principle 7: Use terms your reader can picture
Avoid fuzzy (unclear) words. "Conditions," "situations," "facilities," "inadequacies" are typical examples.
Use specific meanings of such words, which gives a clear picture in the
Principle 8: Tie in with your reader's experience
Much communication fails because writers ignore readers' beliefs, ignore how they came by them, and how firmly they hold on to them.
Highly abstract terms often are useful for thinking, but they are tricky in communication because they are open to such wide interpretation.
In trying to persuade readers to accept your words, remember that the meaning they produce will be determined entirely by their past experiences and purposes.
To get your words read, understood and accepted, you must have a clear understanding of your own purposes and of the purposes of the reader. If these purposes differ, you have two courses for winning acceptance of your message. You must either change your readers' purpose, or you must show them that though your purposes differ in part, they have, at the same time, much in common. mind of readers.
Principle 9: Make full use of variety
Introduce enough variety of sentence length, structure, and vocabulary so that the simplicity is not noticed. As a result, readers never think the writing is rough or childish.
Variety is a main ingredient in the art of writing. Only practice can lead to variety.
Example:
If we are talking about stealing, we can use different verbs: steal, rob, mug, extort, swipe, poach, etc.
Principle 10: Write to express, not impress
When writing is easy, we make it more difficult by seeking out long, unfamiliar words, and in writing long, twisting sentences.
Pay attention to clear expression, and for the most part grammar will take care of itself.
8 comments:
After reading this blog, I understood that the language of news should be simple, clear and easy for everyone to understand. Robert Gunning’s ideas helped me realise why journalists should use short sentences, familiar words and an active voice instead of complicated language. I also learned that unnecessary words and jargon can make news difficult to follow. Overall, the topic made me understand that good news writing is not about using difficult words, but about presenting important information in a clear, direct and meaningful way.
Jayalaxmi
Journalism department
News helps us understand what's happening around us locally, nationally, and globally. But it only works if the language is simple and clear, no matter the reader's background. Robert Gunning's ten principles guide this: keep sentences short, choose simple and familiar words over complex ones, cut unnecessary words, and use active voice instead of passive. He also suggests writing naturally, using words readers can picture, connecting with their experiences, and adding variety so writing doesn't feel dull or repetitive. Ultimately, his message is simple wherein he suggests that we should write to express our ideas clearly, not to impress with complicated language.
Robert Gunning argued that news language must be simple and direct.He used readability formulas to ensure the general public can understand reports instantly, preferring short sentences and active verbs.
1)keep sentences short
For eg: instead of
"I am writing to inform you that because it is raining heavily outside today, I will not be able to attend the outdoor barbecue event we planned."
We can write :It is raining heavily. I cannot attend the barbecue today.
2)Prefer simple words
Using the word bin instead of receptacle
3)Use familiar words
Eg- instead of The technician fixed the internal combustion thermal regulator.
Using The mechanic fixed the car thermostat.
4)Avoid unnecessary words
5)Put actions into words
6)Write the way you talk
7)Use terms readers can picture
8)Tie in the reader with experience
9)make use of variety
10)Write to express not to impress
By Sana
Robert Gunning’s principles of clear writing focus on making communication simple, direct and easy to understand. Writers should keep sentences short, prefer simple and familiar words, and avoid unnecessary words. They should use active voice, such as “The man hit the table” instead of “The table was hit by the man.” Writers should also write naturally, use specific terms instead of vague words like “situations,” and consider the reader’s experience. Variety in sentence length and vocabulary keeps writing engaging. Most importantly, writers should write to express, not impress, and focus on accuracy and clarity.
Raaina Oberoi
Robert Gunning in his book "Techniques of Clear Writing" (1968) outlined ten principles which improve the effectiveness and clarity of the written material.
To write clearly, you must keep sentences short and always choose simple words over complex ones. You should use familiar words that people see every day and carefully cut out unnecessary words that waste time. It is best to use active, action-filled verbs and write naturally, just like you talk. You should also use words that create clear pictures in the mind and connect ideas to the reader's own life experiences. Finally, remember to mix up your sentence lengths to keep it interesting, and always write to share ideas, not to show off with big words.
The principles for language of news include the following:
Principle 1: Keep sentences short
The length of sentences should be kept short so as to not bore the reader.
Principle 2: Prefer simple to complex
There needs to be use of both simple and complex forms for clarity. Sometimes simple might work other times complex. Minimising complex form of writing will keep the audience engaged.
Principle 3: Prefer the familiar word
Avoid writing jargons, idioms, forein slangs and too many difficult words.
Principle 4: Avoid unnecessary words
Sometimes a different word can be used and still mean the same thing.
Principle 5: Put action in your verbs
Always try writing in active voice. Readers prefer to read news in the present tense.
Principle 6: Write like you talk
Storytelling and writing can be completely different, but the writer can follow the way they talk.
Principle 7: Use terms the reader can picture
Avoid using unclear words.
Principle 8: Tie in with your reader's experience
Principle 9: Make full use of variety
Including variety in writing can help in making the reader think that the writing is not childish or too simple.
Principle 10:Write to express, not to impress
Using clear expression rather than long unfamiliar words is always better.
Robert Cunning explains that the language of news should be simple, clear and direct so that readers can understand the information quickly. A news report should avoid complicated words, unnecessary details and personal opinions. The language must be factual, precise and objective. Cunning also stresses the importance of using short sentences and an active voice. In journalism, the main aim is to communicate the news effectively, without confusing or distracting the reader.
•I learnt that clear writing should be simple and easy to understand.
Short sentences make writing more effective.
•We should prefer simple words Avoid unnecessary words and complicated language.
•Use active voice to make writing stronger.
•Use specific words so readers can picture the meaning.
•Variety in sentences makes writing interesting.
•Most importantly, write to express, not to impress.
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