Analysis of paragraphs and sentences should include: (1) the length of the paragraph and of the sentence; (2) the unity of thought in the sentence, and the unity of topic in the paragraph; (3) the coherence, or connection between the parts; and (4) the emphasis given to the important ideas by their position in sentence and paragraph.
Because of the narrowness of the columns the newspaper paragraph must be comparatively short to avoid appearing heavy and uninviting. The typical newspaper paragraph contains from 35 to 75 words, whereas the average paragraph in ordinary prose is from 150 to 250 words in length.
In sentence length, and in paragraph and sentence unity and coherence, the style of the news story does not differ from that of other prose. Involved constructions, long periodic sentences, and similar rhetorical devices, however, have no place in journalistic writing, because they tend to prevent rapid reading.
The emphasis given to an important point by placing it at the beginning of a sentence or a paragraph, is a distinctive characteristic of newspaper style, growing out of the fact that in rapid reading the eye catches important points quickly if they occupy these initial positions.
Specific words in original combinations are always preferable to colorless, general terms and trite phrases. Technical, scientific, and learned words should be avoided unless fully explained. Slang and colloquial expressions may be used when the tone of the story justifies them.
Clearness, which is essential to rapid reading, depends upon the arrangement, the connection, and the expression of ideas, and the student will do well to analyze these essential factors in well-written stories. How brisk movement and steady progress can be secured is also worthy of notice. Humor and pathos are not infrequent in news stories, particularly in those of the feature and human interest type. The student should observe how humor may be effective without ridicule, buffoonery, or vulgarity, and how offensive facts may be presented in news stories without violating the canons of good taste.
Typographical style. Peculiarities in such details of typographical style as abbreviation, capitalization, hyphenation, and the use of numerical figures should be noted in each story and associated with the newspaper from which the story was taken, for each paper has a typographical style of its own. One style is as good as another, but it is essential that consistency be maintained.
The printing of significant facts in a box at the beginning or in the body of a story, often in bold-face type, the method of arranging lists of dead and injured, the forms for market reports, scores in sports, and similar details should be carefully noted.
AN OUTLINE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF NEWS STORIES
NEWS VALUES
1. In what paper was the story published?
2. What are the policy and the character of the paper?
3. How widely does the paper circulate outside of the place in which it is published?
4. Does the paper appeal to a particular class of readers?
5. Is the piece of news presented from the point of view of this class?
6. What, for the average reader, is the source of interest in the news contained in the story?
7. How much would the news interest the average reader? Why?
8. Do you think that the news was worth more or less space than was given to it? Why?
9. What more significant phases might have been played up or developed?
SOURCES OF NEWS
1. How did the news originate?
2. Where was the first record of it probably made? By whom?
3. What records and what persons may have been consulted in securing the news?
4. What reference books or material may have been used in getting or in verifying the details of the story?
5. What other possible sources might have been consulted?
1. What evidence does the story give of the methods by which the news was obtained?
2. Is there any evidence that the reporter or correspondent failed to get any of the important details of the piece of news?
PURPOSE
1. Does the story seem to be fair and unbiased?
2. Is there evidence that any important facts were suppressed or that the story was colored to conform to the policy of the paper?
3. Is the handling of the news constructive or destructive in its effect?
4. What, if any, is the constructive purpose of the writer?
5. Is the story so treated as to tempt the reader to imitate anti-social acts?
TYPE OF STORY
1. Is the primary purpose of the story to inform or to entertain?
2. Is the story largely narrative and descriptive? Is it largely explanatory? Is it largely direct or indirect quotation?
3. If the story is narrative in form, is the order chronological?
4. Is the narrative clear or confused?
5. Does the narrative move slowly or briskly? Why?
6. Are accounts of the event by participants or eye-witnesses used? If so, are these accounts in direct or indirect quotation form?
7. Are remarks and conversation of participants and eye-witnesses given?
8. Is the description detailed or suggestive? Is it effective? Why?
9. Is there a striving for effect in the description?
10. If the story is that of a speech, report, etc., is the material arranged in logical order?
11. Is much or little made of the personal, or human interest, element in the story of the speech or the interview?
STRUCTURE OF THE STORY
1. Has the story a summary lead or an unconventional beginning?
2. Does the lead contain the essential facts concisely presented?
3. Is the most striking detail played up as the feature in the first group of words of the opening sentence of the lead?
4. What other element in the news might have been featured in the lead?
5. Is the lead proportionate in length to the whole story?
6. How are the details arranged in the body of the story?
7. Is there any evidence that the story was cut down in making up the paper?
8. Are the paragraphs closely connected?
9. Is there unnecessary repetition in the story?
10. Could the arrangement of the details be improved? How?
Paragraphs
1. What is the average length of the paragraphs?
2. Are any of the paragraphs too long or too short?
3. Is each paragraph a unit?
4. Are the details well arranged and closely connected in the paragraphs?
5. Does the first group of words at the beginning of each paragraph attract the reader as his eye glances down the story?
6. Could any of the paragraph beginnings be made more effective? How?
Sentences
1. What is the average length of the sentences?
2. Are any of the sentences too long or too short?
3. Is the construction of each sentence evident in rapid reading?
4. Is each sentence a unified expression of a closely related group of ideas?
5. Are the parts of the sentences combined in firm, closely knit construction?
6. Do the sentence beginnings attract the reader by the importance and the interest of the ideas expressed in the first group of words?
7. Do any of the sentences trail off loosely into a succession of phrases and clauses?
8. Is there variety in sentence length and sentence construction?
Words
1. Is the style concise or wordy?
2. Is the diction original or hackneyed?
3. Is the style marked by many adjectives or by superlatives?
4. Are the verbs specific and forcible?
5. Is the diction too learned for the comprehension of the average rapid reader?
6. Are words used idiomatically and accurately?
7. Are slang and colloquial expressions found in the story? What is the effect of them?
8. Is the diction is keeping with the tone of the story?
Qualities of Style
1. Can the details of the story be easily comprehended in rapid reading; that is, is the style comparatively simple?
2. Upon what does the general clearness of the story depend?
3. Is the movement slow or rapid? Why?
4. Is there any humor or pathos in the story? How is the humorous or the pathetic effect secured?
5. Has the news possibilities for humorous or pathetic treatment that are not developed?
6. Is the story in good taste?
TYPOGRAPHICAL STYLE
1. What are the peculiarities of abbreviation, capitalization, hyphenation, and use of numerical figures?
2. Is the typographical style consistent throughout the story?
3. Are any details of the story given prominence by typographical devices? If so, why?