The second session of PNA Foundation’s Journalism Training Program covered topics related to the writing process.
Speaking on the subject were PennLive/The Patriot-News Managing Producer and Enterprise Editor Amy Worden, Associated Press reporter Mark Scolforo and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Assistant Managing Editor Mike Wereschagin.
Here are writing tips shared during the session:
- Ledes on breaking news stories should cover the “Five W’s” (who, what, where, when and why) and contain the most important information. The first words of a story are prime real estate and need to engage readers.
- Read other writers’ work and study their approaches to stories. There’s nothing wrong with mimicking a good idea for a lede.
- If you can’t come up with a lede, you might not fully understand what it is you are writing about. Do more reporting. Or start writing another part of the story and come back to the lede. Ledes can always be revised.
- The nut graph of a story is intended to summarize in a few sentences what the story is about. It needs to be high in the story, particularly if you are going with an anecdotal lede.
- Quotes should advance the story. They should pack a punch. Use quotes that say something interesting or something that you, in your role as a reporter, cannot say. Treat them as gold coins and use them sparingly. A good quote should stand alone. Do not paraphrase what a subject said and follow with a quote that says the same thing.
- Words between the quotation marks must be what came out of a source’s mouth. It’s fine to paraphrase what someone said or, when necessary, rely on a partial quote that is compelling.
- When it comes to numbers in stories, fewer are best. (Articles for business or financial journals are exceptions to this rule.) Too many numbers can confuse readers. Numbers are tailor-made for graphics and work well in the body of the story when they serve a specific purpose or make a particular point. Remember: People care more about what the numbers mean. Avoid starting sentences with numbers. If you use them, make sure your math is correct. (Retired math teachers love to point out calculation mistakes just as former English teachers are quick to see grammatical errors.)
- When self-editing or dealing with writer’s block, look at your story using a different font size, style or color. Read it on your phone instead of a laptop. It can make a difference. If you move paragraphs around, be sure the adjustments don’t alter first references to source names and titles.
- Read “The Associated Press Stylebook” and reread it from time to time to refresh your memory. The cleaner your copy when it gets to an editor, the better off you will be. It will also improve your relationship with your editor.
- Be ready to go to the mat with your editor to defend information you have in a story. If you can’t do that, cut it.
- Don’t be repetitive in your writing. It adds unnecessary story length. Keep readers at the center of your story. Make the story as crystal clear as possible. Make reading your work worth readers’ time. Keep the story informative and, when possible, entertaining.
Training on the writing process will continue at noon Monday, June 9. The session will focus on accuracy, fairness and legal awareness. To register, visit PNA’s website at JTCP#3 – Writing Primer – Part 2: From Lede to Publication – Writing, Vetting and Legal Considerations – Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.
About the PNA Foundation Journalism Training Certification Program
Train the entire staff of your news organization for as little as $20 per month (when registering for the 12-month program)!
If you have new staffers to the editorial department or are interested in honing the journalism skills and knowledge of your veteran staffers, get ready to embark on an exciting, low cost, educational journey. The PNAF’s yearlong Journalism Training Certification Program will equip your staff with the essential skills and industry insights needed to thrive in a newsroom.
News media experts will share practical advice and tips on interviewing techniques, story structure, writing ledes, understanding local and state government, First Amendment rights, implementing ethical standards, utilizing AI, and avoiding burnout.
Each webinar will be held the second Monday of each month from noon to 1 p.m., April 14, 2025, through March 9, 2026. Participants are encouraged to attend every session in real time; however, the webinars will be recorded for on-demand viewing – available only to program registrants – if there is a scheduling conflict.
Download the complete program brochure.