“This is an outstanding practical introduction to writing for journalists of all kinds – news, features, print, online. Starting with frst principles, it builds ability through exercises at each stage and a structured progression to more complex issues like interviews, data, science and business. With contributions from leading journalism teachers and professional journalists it is a timely up- date of previous introductions taking full account of the digital transition in newsrooms and the expectations from employers of multimedia competence. At a time when journalists are under scrutiny for their professionalism and high standards are at a premium it offers an excellent introduction to key skills for those entering the business.” Richard Sambrook, Professor of Journalism and Director of the Centre for Journalism at Cardiff University, formerly Director of Global News at the BBC “In the summer of 2018, when we, a group of mainly print and TV journalists at The Telegraph India and other brands of India’s top media group ABP were struggling to adjust to a native digital newsroom, Matt came to our rescue. His clear vision of how to approach a multimedia story was immensely benefcial. This book is an extension of those practical tips. A much needed book for both journalists and journalism educators. I have used many of Matt’s tips like how to approach a feature, decide on multimedia content among others in my class and my students found them interesting. The real-life examples and exercises through out the book adds much value to it. It also covers a wide spectrum of journalistic writing which sets the principles of journalism straight.” Sambit Pal, Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Mass Communications, formerly journalist at The Telegraph India “Early in my career I would have loved to be able to draw on the diverse, rigor- ous advice you’ll fnd in these pages, and even now I found so much in here to challenge and encourage.” Peter Grunert, Group Editor, Magazines for Lonely Planet Writing for Journalists Thoroughly revised and updated, the fourth edition of Writing for Journalists focuses on the craft of journalistic writing, offering invaluable insight on how to hook readers and keep them to the end of your article. The book offers a systematic approach to news and feature writing that starts with the basics and builds to more complex and longer pieces. The authors give the reader the tools they need to deliver engaging and authoritative writing that works across print and digital. Drawing on professional insight from writ- ers across the industry, the book guides readers through the essential elements needed to write powerful and effective news stories, from hard news pieces to features on business, science and travel, and entertainment reviews. New to this edition are hands-on writing exercises accompanying each chapter to help reinforce key points; chapters on how to build a professional profle, pitch stories and get commissioned; and a section on online writing, SEO, analytics and writing for social media. This is an essential guide for all journalism students and early-career journal- ists. It also has much to offer established journalists looking to develop their writing and lead editorial teams. Matt Swaine is the Course Director for the MA in International Journalism at Cardiff University, where he teaches multimedia news and long-form fea- ture writing. As a journalist he edited BBC Wildlife and Trail magazines and launched websites and magazines such as Trail Running and Outdoor Fitness. He spent two years as Lonely Planet’s Editorial and Product Development D irector, and has written for titles as diverse as Mother and Baby, Sunday Times Travel, Guitarist, The Telegraph and Cycling Plus. @MattSwaine Harriett Gilbert is a broadcaster, journalist and novelist. She was literary ed- itor of the New Statesman and has reviewed the arts for, among others, Time Out, the Listener, the Independent and the BBC. She presents A Good Read on BBC Radio 4 and World Book Club on BBC World Service Radio. She was for many years a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism at City Univer- sity London. @HarriettSG Gavin Allen is a Digital Journalism Lecturer at Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Culture. He has been a journalist for 20 years, latterly as Associate Editor of Mirror.co.uk, having previously worked at MailOnline, MSN and WalesOnline. @Gavinallen Media Skills Edited by Richard Keeble, Lincoln University The Media Skills series provides a concise and thorough introduction to a rap- idly changing media landscape. Each book is written by media and journalism lecturers or experienced professionals and is a key resource for a particular in- dustry. Offering helpful advice and information and using practical examples from print, broadcast and digital media, as well as discussing ethical and reg- ulatory issues, Media Skills books are essential guides for students and media professionals. English for Journalists Twentieth Anniversary Edition Wynford Hicks Researching for the Media Television, Radio and Journalism, second edition Adele Emm Subediting and Production for Journalists Print, Digital and Social, second edition Tim Holmes Magazine Production Second edition Jason Whittaker Interviewing for Journalists Third edition Sally Adams and Emma Lee-Potter Designing for Newspapers and Magazines Second edition Chris Frost Sports Journalism The State of Play Tom Bradshaw and Daragh Minogue Freelancing for Journalists Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson Writing for Journalists Fourth edition Matt Swaine with Harriett Gilbert and Gavin Allen For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.routledge.com/ Media-Skills/book-series/SE0372 Writing for Journalists FOURTH EDITION Matt Swaine with Harriett Gilbert and Gavin Allen Fourth edition published 2022 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2022 Matt Swaine, Harriett Gilbert and Gavin Allen The right of Matt Swaine, Harriett Gilbert and Gavin Allen to be identifed as authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identifcation and explanation without intent to infringe. First edition published by Routledge 1999 Third edition published by Routledge 2016 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Swaine, Matt, author. | Gilbert, Harriett, 1948- author. | Allen, Gavin L., author. Title: Writing for journalists / Matt Swaine with Harriett Gilbert and Gavin Allen. Description: 4th edition. | London; New York : Routledge, 2021. | Series: Media skills | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Identifers: LCCN 2020053272 | ISBN 9780367368562 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367368579 (paperback) | ISBN 9780429351761 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Journalism—Authorship. Classifcation: LCC PN4783.H53 2021 | DDC 808.06/607—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020053272 ISBN: 9780367368562 (hbk) ISBN: 9780367368579 (pbk) ISBN: 9780429351761 (ebk) Typeset in Goudy by codeMantra This book would not have happened without the input of colleagues and editorial experts; Wynford Hicks, Tim Holmes, Dr Aidan O’Donnell; Nigel Stephenson; Guy Procter; Richard Sambrook; Anna Walker; Simon Ingram; Simon Hemelryk; Paul Rees; Jonathan Swift; Jheni Osman; Ben Hoare; Oliver Berry; Phoebe Smith; Bethan Rose Jenkins; Richard Eccleston; Louise Parker; Kat Smith; Dr Janet Harris; Mike Hill; Dr Savyasaachi Jain; Tony O’Shaughnessy; Dr David Dunkley Gyimah; James Stewart; Dr Linda Mitchell; Dr Gavin Evans; Simon Williams Clare Savage and BAFTA award- winning image scanner Mick Connaire. Thank you to Clare, Artie, Charlie and Hazel