Chop. It. Up.

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From Rene J. Cappon’s The Associated Press Guide to News Writing:

“But the longer the sentence, the less readable it’s likely to be, and the more exposed to mishaps of syntax.  The remedy is simple: Chop up long sentences into their functional components and aim for an average sentence length of 16 to 17 words” (37).

                I think this advice is extremely helpful.  I’ve said this a number of times and I’ll say it again, I like concrete answers about things (hence why I’m an English major. Lol)  If there is a formula about how to do something, I’m all ears.  Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules; I understand that.  But when someone tells me that there is a pretty fool-proof way to do something, it excites me. 

                Cappon’s advise is great.  She has a way of putting it that you feel that an expert journalist is taking you under her wing and showing you the little tricks of the trade that she uses.  I appreciate the help and will certainly keep her directions in mind when writing articles of my own.

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1 Comments

Derek Tickle said:

I just commented on Josie's blog entry about a similar topic: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JosieRush/2009/09/all_together_nowremember_your.html

I wish that there was a formula, but do I really wish that? I think that as English majors we have a better chance of having more freedom, than say a chemistry major because they must follow specific formauls in order to conclude with a specific answer.

I also really like Cappon because he tells you the way it is or should be.

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