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Online Writing PDF

This document provides tips for writing articles for the web. It recommends keeping articles concise under daily deadlines. Headlines and ledes are very important to grab readers' attention. Active voice and clear language should be used. Photos, videos and social media can enhance stories. Proper spelling, grammar and Canadian Press style guidelines should always be followed. The online team is available for help with publishing stories on Wordpress.

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95 views11 pages

Online Writing PDF

This document provides tips for writing articles for the web. It recommends keeping articles concise under daily deadlines. Headlines and ledes are very important to grab readers' attention. Active voice and clear language should be used. Photos, videos and social media can enhance stories. Proper spelling, grammar and Canadian Press style guidelines should always be followed. The online team is available for help with publishing stories on Wordpress.

Uploaded by

Anonymous zM7QmWUz0
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing for the web

1. Articles dont need to be overly long


Having a short, more concise article sits better with readers and wont take up all your free time.
Longer, investigative pieces are great, but not required on a daily basis.

2. Write in the active voice


Active: The police believe that the suspect is armed and dangerous.
Passive: It is believed by the police that the suspect is armed and dangerous.
Active: The dog bit the man.
Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.
Tips and strategies for converting sentences from the passive to the active voice (from: writing.wisc.edu).

Look for a "by" phrase (e.g., "by the dog" in the last example above). If you find one, the sentence may be in the passive
voice. Rewrite the sentence so that the subject buried in the "by" clause is closer to the beginning of the sentence.

If the subject of the sentence is somewhat anonymous, see if you can use a general term, such as "researchers," or "the
study," or "experts in this field."

3. Your headline is VERY important


It doesnt matter how good your story is, if the headline is bad no one will click (i.e. read) it. The headline is the key to your story
and without it no one will open it.
Bad: Ryder doing well after being found hurt on side of road
*Who is Ryder? Why do I care they are hurt? Next!
Good: Black Lab recovering after being found badly beaten on side of road
*A dog was beaten and left on the side of the road! I need more info on who would do this.

4. So is your lede
If your headline is the key to the article, your lede is the hallway to keeping a reader interested in staying with the story.
Bad: A truck rollover has closed the highway and sent several people to hospital.
*Where did this happen? Why are people in hospital? Do I need to keep reading this?
Good: The 401 is currently closed in both directions at the DVP after a truck rollover sent several people to hospital with severe
injuries.
*How did this happen? I must keep reading!

5. Always follow CP style


There are a lot of CP rules to follow. Some of the ones we find a lot are below. If youre not sure of something, refer to the CP
Style Guide (we have one at the web desk) or ask a member of the online team.
Spell out numbers under ten, and use figures for those 10 and above
Dates and times are not abbreviated, but months may be abbreviated when they follow
a specific date.
Capitalize the names of universities but not their departments
According to CP Style, the professional title Dr. is only used for licensed health care
professionals, such as dentists, veterinarians, and chiropractors

6. Check your speling and grammer to


If this slide was online I would not have a job.

Poor spelling and grammar detracts from your story and makes the entire Global News website look bad.

Microsoft Word and Google Docs have built-in spell and grammar tools. Wordpress has a spellchecker as well.

When in doubt, dont be afraid to Google it!

7. Videos, photos, tweets, oh my!


Besides the main broadcast story, which will be featured in your online piece after it airs, having videos and photos from the field
(via your iPhone or cameraperson) and tweets related to your story will help round it out and tell a better story. It also gives us
something exciting to feature before your broadcast story airs.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1844960/oscars-2015-most-touching-john-travolta-memes-from-sundays-academy-awards/

http://globalnews.ca/news/1847298/social-media-users-play-true-detective-in-torontotunnel-mystery/

http://globalnews.ca/news/1839888/dog-rescued-from-freezing-temperatures-gives-birth-to-litter-of-puppies/

You can also request web-only graphics!

8. Dont be afraid of Wordpress


For the most part, using Wordpress to publish stories online is no different than using Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

http://www.globalnews.ca/wp-admin

9. Bug the online team


The online team is here to help and anyone on the online team across the country can assist.

Main Email (for the entire online team):


globalnewsonline@shawmedia.ca

Toronto Email:
TorontoOnline@globalnews.ca

Brian McKechnie (me)


brian.mckechnie@globalnews.ca
Tel (desk): 416-446-5383
Twitter @bamcat

Questions?

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