Structure
Shaping the article
33 articles tagged structure, drawn from across the archive.
Australian Defamation Law: A Working Journalist's Guide
This page is a plain-English working guide to Australian defamation law in 2026. It is not legal advice. If you are facing a...
Buzzwords: Stop Using Them
Buzzwords Careful of using too many buzzwords But , you might enjoy this interview!! Frank Lingua, president and CEO of...
Byline
You failed to insert your byline. Don't rely on your editor to remember to insert it. Your editor may even think you don't want...
Chequebook Journalism
Chequebook journalism is a phrase that refers to news organisations paying for interviews. Network Nine and 60 Minutes are...
Choosing Your Target Publication
Always nominate a target publication At the top of your article, always say who this article has been written for. If you don't...
Chronological
You've made a mistake, in my opinion, of starting your article at the beginning, proceeding to the middle, and ending at the...
Colon
You need advice about the colon (:) . . . a full stop on top of a full stop. It's different to the semi-colon (;) which is a full...
Court Reporting
You ask about court reporting. If you're writing 'on spec' you should arrive at court early and approach the Clerk of the Court...
Data Journalism: A Working Introduction
Simon wrote more than one factsheet warning young reporters against 'the big number.' A sentence like 'more than a million...
Editors, how to avoid their discouragement
Editors: how to avoid their discouragement You point out that your target publication has rules that preclude you sending-in an...
Freelance Life: The Loneliness and the Money
Is freelancing lonely? Is the money bad? Yes and no. Every profession in the world - rock star, accountant, brain surgeon, actor...
Full Stops: Keep It Simple
The fullstop I thought you might benefit from some information on the fullstop (or periods or dot, as the Americans call it)...
Headline Writing
You're NOT writing headlines in the best way. Here's how to write a headline: Don't for a moment imagine the publication will use...
How to Send Photos to Editors
The BEST way to send photos is to use a $2000 topline digital camera, and email your photos with your emailed article. This is...
Humor - Bad headlines
Humor: BAD HEADLINES Grandmother of eight makes hole in one Deaf mute gets new hearing in killing Police begin campaign to run...
Introducing Yourself as a Journalist
You ask about how to introduce yourself to prospective interviewees. Why not say: 'Hello, my name is * and I'm a freelance...
Latin Abbreviations for Journalists
Most Latin abbreviations in English have faded out of newspaper copy. A few remain. Simon's rule was that a journalist who uses a...
Layout
Layout Your article MUST look like this 2.5cm (1 inch) margins on all 4 sides ALWAYS nominate a publication Exact wordcount FOR...
Names - of things places--wrong
There are many well-known names of people, things, places and organisations, that my students frequently get wrong. Make sure YOU...
Oxymoron, what is it
Oxymoron: what is it? A dictionary definition: 'A rhetorical figure in which an epigrammatic effect is created by the conjunction...
Photos free and cheap
Photos: free or cheap, to illustrate your articles From the internet: reprinted with permission iStockphoto is the internet's...
Plaigarism ruins careers
Plagiarism . . . how it ruins careers Although I am writing very firmly in this article, I'm really trying to help students who...
PSR
I like this informational article of yours. But consider this advice. When writing this kind of fact-and-advice article, you...
Resourceful wikiHow
How to be resourceful Re-printed with permission of the website wikiHow Life doesn't always hand us solutions to go with the...
Reversing and Flipping Photos
Reverse and flip means printing the photograph backwards (reversing it). Or printing it backwards and upside down. The viewer...
Reviewer, how to get a gig
Your great life as a reviewer, and how to win a gig By SIMON TOWNSEND A journalist who wins a gig as a permanent reviewer can...
Speechwriting
Speechwriting Yes, I wrote speeches for other people for years. I worked for a speakers' bureau. I also wrote pieces to be...
Staple A4 size
Zz You MUST, please, present your work neatly and impressively, Zz. Whether you're sending material to me, an experienced editor...
Sub-Editing: What It Is
You ask about sub-editing. A sub-editor is NOT the editor's assistant, or SUBstitute editor. A sub-editor is a journalist who...
The Components of an Article
This Is Just One Example Of A Well-Structured Article This MAP of an article shows three components: narrative, direct quotes and...
The Freelancer's Business Guide
A freelance journalist is running a business. It is a very small business, usually a one-person business, often not incorporated...
Where to Pitch: Australian Publications That Commission Freelance Work
Simon's advice to freelancers started with one question: do you know who you are sending this to? Most pitches that failed, in...
You Must Be a Touch Typist
Learn to touch type online FREE Don't remain a 'hunt-and-peck, two-finger' typist the whole of your career in journalism Being a...