Poynter. » Writing Tools

What important story elements can journalists use to improve their writing?

Roy Peter Clark — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:55:00 +0000

We have all had the experience of finding ourselves as the outsider in a conversation among insiders. At first we encounter a word or phrase — perhaps of a technical nature — that we do not understand. Before you know… Read more

What journalists, prose writers can learn from poetry

Roy Peter Clark — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:30:16 +0000

I have been reading more poetry lately, and not just because April was National Poetry Month. For reasons I can’t explain, I have not found poetry; rather it has re-discovered me. Perhaps the re-connection was a natural result of my… Read more

How to make your writing stronger by mixing ‘hard’ & ‘soft’ words

Roy Peter Clark — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:18:17 +0000

In January 1967, I began my first serious study of poetry under the tutelage of a brilliant young professor named Rene Fortin.

The poetry was 20th century, described as Modern, and took us from William Carlos Williams to Sylvia Plath.… Read more

What can writers do to build the public’s trust in the media?

Roy Peter Clark — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:30:36 +0000

My friend Jay Rosen has posted another useful essay on his blog Pressthink and asks provocative questions with important implications for every writer.

Rosen begins with a graphic that shows the steady decline in news media credibility… Read more

What makes a story have staying power?

Roy Peter Clark — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:30:40 +0000

I assume that the Sept. 11 attacks will have an effect on people for decades to come. I often associate this effect with the assassination of JFK, another story that keeps evolving.

And now, once again, on the 100th anniversary… Read more

How The New York Times invented disaster coverage with Titanic sinking

Roy Peter Clark — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:24:13 +0000

Does it feel as if we’ve had more than our share of disasters in the last five years? Make a list: earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes galore. Tractor trailers flipped into the air like Styrofoam.

Don’t forget the man-made varieties: oil spill… Read more

How writers can refine their story, book ideas

Roy Peter Clark — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:30:55 +0000

More than 300 writers shared their ideas about writing at last weekend’s “Narrative Arc” conference, which Poynter co-sponsored. I delivered a keynote address and then shared a spot on four panel discussions.

My favorite was titled “Revising Before Your… Read more

The Ira Glass Retraction: Half full or half empty?

Roy Peter Clark — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:34:50 +0000

If it is the mission of journalism to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, then Ira Glass found a perfect public radio story in the theatrical testimony of Mike Daisey.

Here’s what Glass, host of “This American Life,” said… Read more

How to create a writing process that works for you

Roy Peter Clark — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:01:00 +0000

For most of four decades now, I have been talking about writing with Don and Jason Fry. Don, who directed my graduate work at Stony Brook University, has become one of the world’s most respected and well-traveled writing coaches.… Read more

What are the characteristics of a ‘good story’?

Roy Peter Clark — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:24:06 +0000

I get this question a lot these days: What makes a story a story? Every time I think I know the answer, someone changes the question.

Can you really tell stories in newspapers? Is there a place for storytelling in… Read more