Northwest Gardening. Presentation Archive. Training Opportunities. Writing better headlines. Write interesting columns. Write a killer op-ed piece. Watch your language! Just as stoplights and traffic signs enable millions of drivers simultaneously to share the highways, so rules about word use and grammar enable us to communicate, because we agree certain words and phrases mean certain things. Recently, Mary Ellen Bell, a public relations specialist at the University of Wisconsin, noted the increasing misuse of “that” and “who.” Bell sent e-mail to members of Agricultural Communicators in Education asking for comments on whether they had noticed the general confusion over the use of these words.
While most agreed that the words are frequently interchanged, one writer said that this battle might be moot: “Alas! The grand old American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, sneaks in the following statement: Some grammarians have argued that only “who” and not “that” should be used to introduce a restrictive relative clause that defines a person. Use vs. usage. Use parallel structure in your writing. Use adverbs proper! Strive for conciseness in your writing. Stand tall with short words. Improve your writing with 'Instant Writing Course' How to write more clearly and concisely. Give your writing harmony and pace. In his 1918 classic, The Elements of Style, E.B.
White wrote: “The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive.” So why do sentences like these so often appear in business correspondence: “It has been decided…”; “Actions recommended included…”; “Decisions were deferred…”; “Electrical service will be interrupted….” This passive form of communication sounds more like a horoscope than written information about who, what, when, where, how, and why. Passive-voice writing can leave readers wondering whether the writer simply didn't know the facts, or didn't want to reveal them. Since the passive voice so often is the habitat of political documents, past due notices, and other bad news, writers lose credibility from the start by adopting this tone for their business correspondence. In contrast, habitually writing in the active voice builds credibility.
Does this mean that writers should simply abandon use of the passive voice in writing entirely? Get your story printed. That means--gulp--you are going to have to talk with a reporter or an editor. Research and planning Some research and planning will improve your chances for better coverage than you might get by simply calling up your local newspaper and saying, “I have a news story for you.” Before you make the call, decide a few things for yourself about your news item: What is it about?
The environment? Education? These are some of the general topics that newspapers cover. To get good play for the story, you should ask yourself, “Why should readers of the newspaper care about this story?” Locating a reporter Newspapers often have websites that post the names and assignments, and e-mail addresses of reporters. All Oregon newspapers--in fact, all media outlets in the state--are listed in The Oregon Blue Book, which is available at most bookstores and also online at Tips when talking to a reporter.
Elements of an impact statement. Distilling science for a lay audience. “Just throw it up like a cat does a hairball.” That was one piece of advice Carol Savonen, science communications specialist for Agricultural Communications, gave me before leaving me to fend for myself as a science communications intern. Carol was addressing one way to overcome the task of sorting through the volumes of information we gather before we actually write a popular science article about someone's research. If you regurgitate your initial impressions, you then have an outline to shape into a final piece. As a writer with a research science background, I sometimes find it difficult to return from an exhilarating interview with a dedicated scientist, my head filled with 10 years of background on his or her work, and have to distill it to one and a half pages of jargon-free prose.
An approach that works for me is to key into what excites the researcher, and then convey this enthusiasm to the reader. Why the researcher cares about his or her workwhy the reader should care about it. Developing news releases. Become a tighter writer. Be your own writing critic. You have spent the past three weeks interviewing, researching, gathering and organizing your facts, and double-checking quotes. Now you have a first draft of your article, ready for editing. At this point, many writers make the mistake of sending their work to their editor.
This, seasoned editors will tell you, is where their curmudgeonly reputation comes from. They don't want to read raw copy, full of mistakes and potential pitfalls in logic and meaning. Instead, editors recommend that you take a cue from airline pilots, and avoid major mistakes by using a checklist and applying it systematically to each project.
Here is a suggested checklist of tasks that not only will identify and solve common writing problems, but could reduce the amount of time you spend rereading, tinkering, rewriting, and re-editing. As long as you are your own toughest first critic, there's less chance your editor will be your worst critic. Be prepared for reporters calling. 9 worst mistakes when working with the media. Are you ready for a wiki? Since its introduction 15 years ago, the World Wide Web has given us many new ways to acquire and share information--web sites by the millions, web portals, online educational courses, streaming media, blogs, and e-commerce, to name a few. What's a wiki? The short definition is "collaborative online workspace," but a wiki is really a new--some might say anarchistic--way of cooperatively generating information content.
Incidentally, wiki is derived from "wiki wiki" meaning "quick" or "fast" in the native language of Hawaii. In its simplest form, a wiki is a web page set up so that any viewer is given free and open access to add and edit content on the page. A wiki contains text and sometimes graphics, photo images, and video clips. How did wikis get started? According to Kris Olsen (Wiki That!) You also could think of a wiki as a digital paper that you can share with any colleague at any time and in any location where Internet access is available.
At the same time, the disadvantages include: If it's too hard to read, it's wasted. Writing that people want to read. Try these tips for error-free prose. Nondiscrimination statement in English and Spanish. Multimedia Guidelines. Just say no to outlines. How to write clear how-to instructions. How many times have you tried to assemble a new tool or toy and become frustrated by the instructions?
In Extension, we often are called on to explain tasks ranging from applying correct amounts of fertilizer to preparing roses for winter. With a little effort, we can leave our readers satisfied rather than cursing the instruction writer. Getting started Before doing anything else, identify the tools needed for the job. Confusing example: Cut a 30-inch sample board and two 1-inch sections from the sample board, and number the two 1-inch sections.
Better example: 1. 2. 3. Organize instructions Keep sentences short and vocabulary easy.Make sure the steps are in the right order. Confusing example: 1. 1. 2. 3. Use active, command verbs. Confusing example: Sample boards should be end-coated. Does this mean you should cut samples from boards that are end-coated, or that you should cut sample boards and then end-coat them? 2. Use illustrations and diagrams. Make sure you haven't left anything out. 1. 2. How to write a letter to the editor. Getting from idea to publication. Writing a useful publication is more than choosing words. Much of the work occurs before you begin writing and after you finish the first draft. Here are some tips for getting from idea to published piece, whether printed or on-line. An EESC editor can advise you at any of these steps. Step 1: Who is my audience and what do they need?
Knowing your audience and their needs is a vital first step. Organize your thoughts around: Who is my audience? Step 2: How will my publication be used? This clarifies your publication's function and generates clues for how to design and write it. Is the publication's function clear? Step 3: How do I get the word out? Marketing and distribution should influence how you design and write your publication. How will I market/distribute the publication? Step 4: What's the point? You must be crystal clear on what points your publication will make to ensure what it conveys is appropriate. What does the audience already know? Step 5: How should I say it? Top of page. Editors reveal the writing they hate. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) statement in English and Spanish.
Resolution planning for digital photos. Choose the right image resolution. Add value to your photos. In journalistic parlance, the words used to describe the who, what, when, where, and why of a photo—the cutline or caption—sometimes can turn an interesting or attractive shot into a powerful educational resource with long-term value. In a perfect photo, all necessary information would be incorporated into the shot. The location would be obvious, the subject would wear a shirt with his/her name printed on the front (along with the date), and the subject would carry a sign revealing the reason for the photo. But since that’s not likely, the only way to ensure your photo's value and longevity is to write down—on or near the photo—those five “Ws.” The simplest ways to handle photo descriptions are to print the information on the slide mount or on the back of a print, or to create a log sheet with descriptions that correspond to the number on the slide or print.
For digital photos, there are cataloging applications such as Portfolio or PhotoTrack. Writing for a web audience. When to use your camera's flash. Take better pictures of plants. Like other photo subjects, the key is to put plants in the right “light.” Manipulating the natural light source—the sun—or even adding to it can make a big difference in accurately documenting the color and texture of a plant species. It can also increase the appeal of the finished photo. Avoid “high noon” or mid-day light (a good rule to follow whether you’re shooting plants or people). With the sun directly overhead, you end up dealing with harsh, contrasting light that produces hard shadows and reflected hot spots.
A cloudy day is actually the best situation in which to shoot plants, because cloud cover diffuses the light. Shade the plant from harsh light, will allow you to shoot images on bright days as well. Bring light to shadowed areas of the plant. A strobe is another way to fill in the shadows. When it comes to lighting, experimentation often produces the best results. Produce a successful video project. Each year, Extension and Experiment Station Communications video producers hear from faculty and staff who want to produce a video. They may want to do it themselves or they may want production assistance. Project goals, audiences, and available resources often dictate a program’s final format, but it’s important to understand that even the most basic video projects require thought and preparation.
Many Extension faculty and staff who have produced successful video programs say their colleagues should consider the following topics and questions. Selecting a medium Messages delivered via video are most effective when supported by compelling visual images. The next time you watch your favorite television show, notice the variety of camera shots. Think about scenes that grab your attention. Research and planning It can take several months to research, plan, write, shoot, edit, duplicate, package, promote, and distribute your finished product. Script writing Subject-matter review Production. Create a blog that cannot be ignored. About Blogs Welcome to the blogosphere. A web log (blog) is a website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order. A blog engages a conversation with readers and is regularly updated with text, images, and links to other sites.
Since they first appeared blogs have become a popular medium for uniting people into online communities. In addition to their use for education, blogs have been credited with the power to break news stories and influence public opinion. Tips when starting a blog The following are tips to help you create a blog that cannot be ignored.
Like good writing, good blogs: use catchy headlines, short paragraphs, and easily scanned content;make a point clearly, without jargon;develop a distinct voice (write as if you were talking);tell stories that show your message in action;are edited for spelling, grammar, and clarity of thought. Like good websites, good blogs: And like good conversations, good blogs: Choose the right software for your digital darkroom. Carry a photography "grab bag" How-to's. The Department of Extension and Experiment Station Communications (EESC) provides communication support to staff and faculty within OSU's Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station.
Get website help: visit the Drupal Quick-Reference Guide to learn how to update your Drupal website, including adding photos and links, editing pages, etc. Distance Education This guide provides the basic steps required to create multimedia-rich Adobe Presenter presentations that can be used online. Multimedia projects have laid the groundwork for a new way of thinking--and a new way of learning. This resource provides basic guidelines for those seeking to create multimedia deliverables. Graphic Design Web-published photos are copyrighted just as if they were published in a book.
Impact Reporting Positive media coverage attracts grant money and legislative support. Multimedia There’s no such thing as a bad shot--just one that isn’t close enough. Photography Publishing Spanish Language Web Help.