What to avoid when writing:

[subhead]

I know I've seen similar posts, but some of these are always worth repeating. This site is always best in cases such as the FOI forum and when people post useful Web sites etc.

This topic is for things to avoid when writing.

Such as extra words.
Don't put: "The team improved to 4-1 on the season."
Put: "The team improved to 4-1."
Granted, best case is to put the record in parentheses somewhere.

Put the winning score first. Mainly this is an SID sin, but many do it wrong for volleyball. Always put the winning score first.

Use "it" when referring to the school name and "they" for the mascot. I know, many like "it" all the time.


OK, there's some, anyone have other points?

 

[Ellis Redding]

Never put a score before the final score.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

Never put a score before the final score.

Any score. Not a halftime score or a final score from three days ago.

 

[Ellis Redding]

Never put a score before the final score.

Any score. Not a halftime score or a final score from three days ago.

I thought that's what I was saying, but yes.

 

[Cadet]

Just to clarify, that is not an SID sin because SIDs don't know any better. It is likely they have been told by a higher-up, who is not familiar with stats or media practices, that they should always list Podunk U's score first. Many SIDs cringe at this.

 

[subhead]

Just to clarify, that is not an SID sin because SIDs don't know any better.

Gotch'ya.

 

[Flip Wilson]

Just to clarify, that is not an SID sin because SIDs don't know any better.

Gotch'ya.

Most of the SIDs I worked with in the business DID know better; oftentimes, we were told by higher-ups to do stuff that was polar opposite of AP style, or not what the media needed or just went against common sense. We would argue our case -- to deaf ears, usually -- and do what we were told. We had to pick our battles, sometimes.

 

[Cadet]

And my wording above was not clear: SIDs do know better, therefore it is not a sin of ignorance. I agree with Flip.

 

[subhead]

I was just saying it's usually college releases that have it wrong.

 

[loveyabye]

Although myriad is overused, if you're going to use it, write "myriad" not "a myriad of"

From dictionary.com:

"Throughout most of its history in English myriad was used as a noun, as in a myriad of men. In the 19th century it began to be used in poetry as an adjective, as in myriad men. Both usages in English are acceptable."

So, they're both acceptable, but one saves you two words.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Please avoid "yesterday" and "tomorrow." Be specific (and yes, "today" is specific.")

 

[Eagleboy]

How about not beginning a sentence with a period of time? As in, "On Tuesday, the Hawks lost their star player..." or "Last year, the Blue Demons finished with a 10-20 record."

 

[thegrifter]

Avoid an opening sentence that's 50 words long. Guy at my last shop did it all the time and never understood what was wrong with it. And now he's teaching others how to do it. aghghg!

 

[Montezuma's Revenge]

How about not beginning a sentence with a period of time? As in, "On Tuesday, the Hawks lost their star player..." or "Last year, the Blue Demons finished with a 10-20 record."

I don't think that's a very good hard and fast rule.

 

[SoSueMe]

Please avoid "yesterday" and "tomorrow." Be specific (and yes, "today" is specific.")

I always thought this, too. Where I now work, they insist on today, tomorrow and yesterday.

 

[ARD]

Put: "The team improved to 4-1."
e's some, anyone have other points?

You don't really need "improved to," either. "Is" works fine when you just need a couple of more words deleted to fit the line in.

 

[silvercharm]

I know I've seen similar posts, but some of these are always worth repeating. This site is always best in cases such as the FOI forum and when people post useful Web sites etc.

This topic is for things to avoid when writing.

Such as extra words.
Don't put: "The team improved to 4-1 on the season."
Put: "The team improved to 4-1."
Granted, best case is to put the record in parentheses somewhere.

Put the winning score first. Mainly this is an SID sin, but many do it wrong for volleyball. Always put the winning score first.

Use "it" when referring to the school name and "they" for the mascot. I know, many like "it" all the time.


OK, there's some, anyone have other points?

If you use the phrase "on the season" in a newspaper, not only should you be fired, you should have to serve a one-year sentence listening to 24-hour sports talk radio, where "on the season" is spouted as often as misinformed opinion.

 

[Clever username]

Put the winning score first. Mainly this is an SID sin, but many do it wrong for volleyball. Always put the winning score first.

How do you screw up volleyball? If the winning team drops two games and wins three, you have to put the losing scores first: 20-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-10. Or 25-20, 23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-7.

 

[thegrifter]

some people are just stupid

 

[shotglass]

Please avoid "yesterday" and "tomorrow." Be specific (and yes, "today" is specific.")

I always thought this, too. Where I now work, they insist on today, tomorrow and yesterday.

Well, the thing is, this is lockbolt style for many newspapers.

So I wouldn't say don't use "yesterday" or "tomorrow." That might be what you're supposed to use.

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In the same vein as "on the season," keep an eye open for using "in victory" or "in defeat." Chances are you can lop those words off.