Language: pompous, pedantic and plain -- News writing: information is not enough -- Leads: the agony of square one -- The case for the period -- Journalese -- Tone: the inner music of words -- Pitfalls: attributive verbs and loaded words -- Quotes: your words or mine? -- Color: dip your brush in small details -- Pseudo-color: cliches and other trespasses -- Features: a view for the poets' corner -- Usage: handling those hectoring hangups -- Bestiary: a compendium for the careful and the crotchety -- News Writing for the Digital Age: an introduction -- The New Media: writing for the web -- Writing beyond reading: broadcast journalism

"The Associated Press Guide to News Writing, is the standard professional resource for both novice and experienced news writers. This practical handbook is the ideal writing style guide for all reporters, writers, editors, and English and journalism students. It covers all the essentials of good news writing, according to the styles and guidelines set forth by the Associated Press--with lively examples from today's newspapers. This authoritative guide includes: Professional advice about crafting a good feature story; In-depth reviews of important principles in news writing; Expert guidance on writing concise, informative copy, source citations, and more; and Clear and instructive discussions of specialized styles."--provided by publisher