Lose 10 bad habits in 1 week

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One of the greatest aids to improving your copy is to print out your work and read it as if you were a reader. Reading your work aloud is another routine step that helps produce better copy.So, how often do you include these steps in your daily routine? Sometimes not enough. Make it a habit today.

Breaking habits requires an investment in examining your copy to make the necessary changes.

We can't break habits unless we know our habits. Here's a sampling of steps that can help you improve your work. How many habits can you eliminate in one week - and sustain for the long run?

Give it a shot this week:

1. Avoid patterns:
Re-read your work from the past week. Look for habits. Maybe it's that you started multiple leads all in the same way (ie. with the name of someone), or that you filed multiple run-on sentences. Or that you started too multiple paragraphs with a surname. Or that you overused certain words such as the, that, and etc. It's easy to fall into habits. Don't roboticize your work. Evolve it.

2. Eliminate awkward words:
Nobody's asking reporters to dumb down their writing. It's simply a case of being reader-friendly. Write for your readers, not above them. Look for words with fewer syllables to replace long-winded words. Look for places where one word will take the place of two words. Condense. Cut. Tighten.

3. Improve your quotes:
Evaluate your quotes. Are they quotes that add colour to your story, or are you just quoting information that can be paraphrased? Filing quotes such as "If people want more information, they'll have to contact Bob Smith in accounting next week" are a disservice to quote marks. Or, if you repeatedly file quotes that consist of three words (ie. bit quotes) that are not colourful and add nothing to your story, it's time to work on gathering full quotes that say something worthwhile.

4. The 'background' paragraph:
If you constantly forget to write a background paragraph, you need to make a note to yourself whenever you write. When you start to write your story, type BACKGROUND PARAGRAPH HERE in bold and fill in the space before you file your copy. Don't leave it to editors to fill your holes. It's your byline. It's your work.

5. The basic stuff:
Have you identified people in your story? Get the basics: who they are, title, age, occupation, home town, etc.

6. Don't fake it:
Read other papers to get up to date on current events. If you're localizing a national story, get the background and understand it so you're reporting accurately and with proper knowledge of connected events so you'll properly inform your readers.

7. Their/there, to/too, it's/its:
The BIG three in many reporters' copy requires special attention. . Whenever you use one of these words, develop the habit of checking and rechecking. Have you got the correct word? Readers love catching these silly errors... and they let us know about them.

8. Don't rely on just officials:
It's easy to get in a routine of talking to just officials. Don't forget about John Public. That's who's affected. People-cize your stories.

9. Junk the jargon:
Beware jargon. Is there really a rule of thumb? Does fur really fly? Does a puck really bulge the twine. Jargon is like writing in code to readers. Just tell them in plain English what you mean.

10. The 'What does this mean' paragraph:
Add perspective to your work. It's a simple explanation of the significance of a story. It can be based on past events, opinions, or it can bring readers up to speed so they understand new developments or where a story is headed. Type WHAT DOES THIS MEAN as a reminder in your copy... and then fill it. Your readers will be thankful. Report what it means early in your copy.

By Gregg McLachlan, Associate Managing Editor, Simcoe Reformer