Reading Help How to speak and write correctly Ch.VII-XV
It is surprising the number of people in this country who make a living `
` in the newspaper field. Apart from the regular toilers there are thousands `
` of men and women who make newspaper work a side issue, who add tidy sums `
` of "pin money" to their incomes by occasional contributions to the daily, `
` weekly and monthly press. Most of these people are only persons of `
` ordinary, everyday ability, having just enough education to express `
` themselves intelligently in writing. `
` `
` It is a mistake to imagine, as so many do, that an extended education is `
` necessary for newspaper work. Not at all! On the contrary, in some cases, `
` a high-class education is a hindrance, not a help in this direction. The `
` general newspaper does not want learned disquisitions nor philosophical `
` theses; as its name implies, it wants news, current news, interesting `
` news, something to appeal to its readers, to arouse them and rivet their `
` attention. In this respect very often a boy can write a better article `
` than a college professor. The professor would be apt to use words beyond `
` the capacity of most of the readers, while the boy, not knowing such `
` words, would probably simply tell what he saw, how great the damage was, `
` who were killed or injured, etc., and use language which all would `
` understand. `
` `
` Of course, there are some brilliant scholars, deeply-read men and women `
` in the newspaper realm, but, on the whole, those who have made the `
` greatest names commenced ignorant enough and most of them graduated by `
` way of the country paper. Some of the leading writers of England and `
` America at the present time started their literary careers by contributing `
` to the rural press. They perfected and polished themselves as they went `
` along until they were able to make names for themselves in universal `
` literature. `
` `
` If you want to contribute to newspapers or enter the newspaper field as a `
` means of livelihood, don't let lack of a college or university education `
` stand in your way. As has been said elsewhere in this book, some of the `
` greatest masters of English literature were men who had but little `
` advantage in the way of book learning. Shakespeare, Bunyan, Burns, and `
` scores of others, who have left their names indelibly inscribed on the `
` tablets of fame, had little to boast of in the way of book education, but `
` they had what is popularly known as "horse" sense and a good working `
` knowledge of the world; in other words, they understood human nature, and `
` were natural themselves. Shakespeare understood mankind because he was `
` himself a man; hence he has portrayed the feelings, the emotions, the `
` passions with a master's touch, delineating the king in his palace as true `
` to nature as he has done the peasant in his hut. The monitor within his own `
` breast gave him warning as to what was right and what was wrong, just as `
` the daemon ever by the side of old Socrates whispered in his ear the course `
` to pursue under any and all circumstances. Burns guiding the plough `
` conceived thoughts and clothed them in a language which has never, nor `
` probably never will be, surpassed by all the learning which art can confer. `
` These men were natural, and it was the perfection of this naturality that `
` wreathed their brows with the never-fading laurels of undying fame. `
` `
` If you would essay to write for the newspaper you must be natural and `
` express yourself in your accustomed way without putting on airs or `
` frills; you must not ape ornaments and indulge in bombast or rhodomontade `
` which stamp a writer as not only superficial but silly. There is no room `
` for such in the everyday newspaper. It wants facts stated in plain, `
` unvarnished, unadorned language. True, you should read the best authors `
` and, as far as possible, imitate their style, but don't try to literally `
` copy them. Be yourself on every occasion--no one else. `
` `
` Not like Homer would I write, `
` Not like Dante if I might, `
` Not like Shakespeare at his best, `
` Not like Goethe or the rest, `
` Like myself, however small, `
` Like myself, or not at all. `
` `
` Put yourself in place of the reader and write what will interest yourself `
` and in such a way that your language will appeal to your own ideas of the `
` fitness of things. You belong to the _great_ commonplace majority, `
` therefore don't forget that in writing for the newspapers you are writing `
` for that majority and not for the learned and aesthetic minority. `
` `
` Remember you are writing for the man on the street and in the street car, `
` you want to interest him, to compel him to read what you have to say. He `
` does not want a display of learning; he wants news about something which `
` concerns himself, and you must tell it to him in a plain, simple manner `
` just as you would do if you were face to face with him. `
` `
` What can you write about? Why about anything that will constitute current `
` news, some leading event of the day, anything that will appeal to the `
` readers of the paper to which you wish to submit it. No matter in what `
` locality you may live, however backward it may be, you can always find `
` something of genuine human interest to others. If there is no news `
` happening, write of something that appeals to yourself. We are all `
` constituted alike, and the chances are that what will interest you will `
` interest others. Descriptions of adventure are generally acceptable. Tell `
` of a fox hunt, or a badger hunt, or a bear chase. `
` `
` If there is any important manufacturing plant in your neighborhood `
` describe it and, if possible, get photographs, for photography plays a `
` very important part in the news items of to-day. If a "great" man lives `
` near you, one whose name is on the tip of every tongue, go and get an `
` interview with him, obtain his views on the public questions of the day, `
` describe his home life and his surroundings and how he spends his time. `
` `
` Try and strike something germane to the moment, something that stands out `
` prominently in the limelight of the passing show. If a noted personage, `
` some famous man or woman, is visiting the country, it is a good time to `
` write up the place from which he or she comes and the record he or she has `
` made there. For instance, it was opportune to write of Sulu and the little `
` Pacific archipelago during the Sultan's trip through the country. If an `
` attempt is made to blow up an American battleship, say, in the harbor of `
` Appia, in Samoa, it affords a chance to write about Samoa and Robert Louis `
` Stephenson. When Manuel was hurled from the throne of Portugal it was a `
` ripe time to write of Portugal and Portuguese affairs. If any great `
` occurrence is taking place in a foreign country such as the crowning of a `
` king or the dethronement of a monarch, it is a good time to write up the `
` history of the country and describe the events leading up to the main `
` issue. When a particularly savage outbreak occurs amongst wild tribes in `
` the dependencies, such as a rising of the Manobos in the Philippines, it is `
` opportune to write of such tribes and their surroundings, and the causes `
` leading up to the revolt. `
` `
` Be constantly on the lookout for something that will suit the passing `
` hour, read the daily papers and probably in some obscure corner you may `
` find something that will serve you as a foundation for a good article-- `
` something, at least, that will give you a clue. `
` `
` Be circumspect in your selection of a paper to which to submit your copy. `
` Know the tone and general import of the paper, its social leanings and `
` political affiliations, also its religious sentiments, and, in fact, all `
` the particulars you can regarding it. It would be injudicious for you to `
` send an article on a prize fight to a religious paper or, _vice versa_, `
` an account of a church meeting to the editor of a sporting sheet. `
` `
` If you get your copy back don't be disappointed nor yet disheartened. `
` Perseverance counts more in the newspaper field than anywhere else, and `
` only perseverance wins in the long run. You must become resilient; if you `
` are pressed down, spring up again. No matter how many rebuffs you may `
` receive, be not discouraged but call fresh energy to your assistance and `
` make another stand. If the right stuff is in you it is sure to be `
` discovered; your light will not remain long hidden under a bushel in the `
` newspaper domain. If you can deliver the goods editors will soon be `
` begging you instead of your begging them. Those men are constantly on the `
` lookout for persons who can make good. `
` `
` Once you get into print the battle is won, for it will be an incentive to `
` you to persevere and improve yourself at every turn. Go over everything `
` you write, cut and slash and prune until you get it into as perfect form `
` as possible. Eliminate every superfluous word and be careful to strike `
` out all ambiguous expressions and references. `
` `
` If you are writing for a weekly paper remember it differs from a daily `
` one. Weeklies want what will not alone interest the man on the street, `
` but the woman at the fireside; they want out-of-the-way facts, curious `
` scraps of lore, personal notes of famous or eccentric people, reminiscences `
` of exciting experiences, interesting gleanings in life's numberless `
` by-ways, in short, anything that will entertain, amuse, instruct the home `
` circle. There is always something occurring in your immediate surroundings, `
` some curious event or thrilling episode that will furnish you with data `
` for an article. You must know the nature of the weekly to which you `
` submit your copy the same as you must know the daily. For instance, the `
` _Christian Herald_, while avowedly a religious weekly, treats such secular `
` matter as makes the paper appeal to all. On its religious side it is `
` _non-sectarian_, covering the broad field of Christianity throughout the `
` world; on its secular side it deals with human events in such an impartial `
` way that every one, no matter to what class they may belong or to what `
` creed they may subscribe, can take a living, personal interest. `
` `
` The monthlies offer another attractive field for the literary aspirant. `
` Here, again, don't think you must be an university professor to write for a `
` monthly magazine. Many, indeed most, of the foremost magazine contributors `
` are men and women who have never passed through a college except by going `
` in at the front door and emerging from the back one. However, for the most `
` part, they are individuals of wide experience who know the practical side `
` of life as distinguished from the theoretical. `
` `
` The ordinary monthly magazine treats of the leading questions and issues `
` which are engaging the attention of the world for the moment, great `
` inventions, great discoveries, whatever is engrossing the popular mind `
` for the time being, such as flying machines, battleships, sky-scrapers, `
` the opening of mines, the development of new lands, the political issues, `
` views of party leaders, character sketches of distinguished personages, `
` etc. However, before trying your skill for a monthly magazine it would be `
` well for you to have a good apprenticeship in writing for the daily `
` press. `
` `
` Above all things, remember that perseverance is the key that opens the `
` door of success. Persevere! If you are turned down don't get `
` disheartened; on the contrary, let the rebuff act as a stimulant to `
` further effort. Many of the most successful writers of our time have been `
` turned down again and again. For days and months, and even years, some of `
` them have hawked their wares from one literary door to another until they `
` found a purchaser. You may be a great writer in embryo, but you will `
` never develop into a fetus, not to speak of full maturity, unless you `
` bring out what is in you. Give yourself a chance to grow and seize upon `
` everything that will enlarge the scope of your horizon. Keep your eyes `
` wide open and there is not a moment of the day in which you will not see `
` something to interest you and in which you may be able to interest `
` others. Learn, too, how to read Nature's book. There's a lesson in `
` everything--in the stones, the grass, the trees, the babbling brooks and `
` the singing birds. Interpret the lesson for yourself, then teach it to `
` others. Always be in earnest in your writing; go about it in a determined `
` kind of way, don't be faint-hearted or backward, be brave, be brave, and `
` evermore be brave. `
` `
` On the wide, tented field in the battle of life, `
` With an army of millions before you; `
` Like a hero of old gird your soul for the strife `
` And let not the foeman tramp o'er you; `
`
` in the newspaper field. Apart from the regular toilers there are thousands `
` of men and women who make newspaper work a side issue, who add tidy sums `
` of "pin money" to their incomes by occasional contributions to the daily, `
` weekly and monthly press. Most of these people are only persons of `
` ordinary, everyday ability, having just enough education to express `
` themselves intelligently in writing. `
` `
` It is a mistake to imagine, as so many do, that an extended education is `
` necessary for newspaper work. Not at all! On the contrary, in some cases, `
` a high-class education is a hindrance, not a help in this direction. The `
` general newspaper does not want learned disquisitions nor philosophical `
` theses; as its name implies, it wants news, current news, interesting `
` news, something to appeal to its readers, to arouse them and rivet their `
` attention. In this respect very often a boy can write a better article `
` than a college professor. The professor would be apt to use words beyond `
` the capacity of most of the readers, while the boy, not knowing such `
` words, would probably simply tell what he saw, how great the damage was, `
` who were killed or injured, etc., and use language which all would `
` understand. `
` `
` Of course, there are some brilliant scholars, deeply-read men and women `
` in the newspaper realm, but, on the whole, those who have made the `
` greatest names commenced ignorant enough and most of them graduated by `
` way of the country paper. Some of the leading writers of England and `
` America at the present time started their literary careers by contributing `
` to the rural press. They perfected and polished themselves as they went `
` along until they were able to make names for themselves in universal `
` literature. `
` `
` If you want to contribute to newspapers or enter the newspaper field as a `
` means of livelihood, don't let lack of a college or university education `
` stand in your way. As has been said elsewhere in this book, some of the `
` greatest masters of English literature were men who had but little `
` advantage in the way of book learning. Shakespeare, Bunyan, Burns, and `
` scores of others, who have left their names indelibly inscribed on the `
` tablets of fame, had little to boast of in the way of book education, but `
` they had what is popularly known as "horse" sense and a good working `
` knowledge of the world; in other words, they understood human nature, and `
` were natural themselves. Shakespeare understood mankind because he was `
` himself a man; hence he has portrayed the feelings, the emotions, the `
` passions with a master's touch, delineating the king in his palace as true `
` to nature as he has done the peasant in his hut. The monitor within his own `
` breast gave him warning as to what was right and what was wrong, just as `
` the daemon ever by the side of old Socrates whispered in his ear the course `
` to pursue under any and all circumstances. Burns guiding the plough `
` conceived thoughts and clothed them in a language which has never, nor `
` probably never will be, surpassed by all the learning which art can confer. `
` These men were natural, and it was the perfection of this naturality that `
` wreathed their brows with the never-fading laurels of undying fame. `
` `
` If you would essay to write for the newspaper you must be natural and `
` express yourself in your accustomed way without putting on airs or `
` frills; you must not ape ornaments and indulge in bombast or rhodomontade `
` which stamp a writer as not only superficial but silly. There is no room `
` for such in the everyday newspaper. It wants facts stated in plain, `
` unvarnished, unadorned language. True, you should read the best authors `
` and, as far as possible, imitate their style, but don't try to literally `
` copy them. Be yourself on every occasion--no one else. `
` `
` Not like Homer would I write, `
` Not like Dante if I might, `
` Not like Shakespeare at his best, `
` Not like Goethe or the rest, `
` Like myself, however small, `
` Like myself, or not at all. `
` `
` Put yourself in place of the reader and write what will interest yourself `
` and in such a way that your language will appeal to your own ideas of the `
` fitness of things. You belong to the _great_ commonplace majority, `
` therefore don't forget that in writing for the newspapers you are writing `
` for that majority and not for the learned and aesthetic minority. `
` `
` Remember you are writing for the man on the street and in the street car, `
` you want to interest him, to compel him to read what you have to say. He `
` does not want a display of learning; he wants news about something which `
` concerns himself, and you must tell it to him in a plain, simple manner `
` just as you would do if you were face to face with him. `
` `
` What can you write about? Why about anything that will constitute current `
` news, some leading event of the day, anything that will appeal to the `
` readers of the paper to which you wish to submit it. No matter in what `
` locality you may live, however backward it may be, you can always find `
` something of genuine human interest to others. If there is no news `
` happening, write of something that appeals to yourself. We are all `
` constituted alike, and the chances are that what will interest you will `
` interest others. Descriptions of adventure are generally acceptable. Tell `
` of a fox hunt, or a badger hunt, or a bear chase. `
` `
` If there is any important manufacturing plant in your neighborhood `
` describe it and, if possible, get photographs, for photography plays a `
` very important part in the news items of to-day. If a "great" man lives `
` near you, one whose name is on the tip of every tongue, go and get an `
` interview with him, obtain his views on the public questions of the day, `
` describe his home life and his surroundings and how he spends his time. `
` `
` Try and strike something germane to the moment, something that stands out `
` prominently in the limelight of the passing show. If a noted personage, `
` some famous man or woman, is visiting the country, it is a good time to `
` write up the place from which he or she comes and the record he or she has `
` made there. For instance, it was opportune to write of Sulu and the little `
` Pacific archipelago during the Sultan's trip through the country. If an `
` attempt is made to blow up an American battleship, say, in the harbor of `
` Appia, in Samoa, it affords a chance to write about Samoa and Robert Louis `
` Stephenson. When Manuel was hurled from the throne of Portugal it was a `
` ripe time to write of Portugal and Portuguese affairs. If any great `
` occurrence is taking place in a foreign country such as the crowning of a `
` king or the dethronement of a monarch, it is a good time to write up the `
` history of the country and describe the events leading up to the main `
` issue. When a particularly savage outbreak occurs amongst wild tribes in `
` the dependencies, such as a rising of the Manobos in the Philippines, it is `
` opportune to write of such tribes and their surroundings, and the causes `
` leading up to the revolt. `
` `
` Be constantly on the lookout for something that will suit the passing `
` hour, read the daily papers and probably in some obscure corner you may `
` find something that will serve you as a foundation for a good article-- `
` something, at least, that will give you a clue. `
` `
` Be circumspect in your selection of a paper to which to submit your copy. `
` Know the tone and general import of the paper, its social leanings and `
` political affiliations, also its religious sentiments, and, in fact, all `
` the particulars you can regarding it. It would be injudicious for you to `
` send an article on a prize fight to a religious paper or, _vice versa_, `
` an account of a church meeting to the editor of a sporting sheet. `
` `
` If you get your copy back don't be disappointed nor yet disheartened. `
` Perseverance counts more in the newspaper field than anywhere else, and `
` only perseverance wins in the long run. You must become resilient; if you `
` are pressed down, spring up again. No matter how many rebuffs you may `
` receive, be not discouraged but call fresh energy to your assistance and `
` make another stand. If the right stuff is in you it is sure to be `
` discovered; your light will not remain long hidden under a bushel in the `
` newspaper domain. If you can deliver the goods editors will soon be `
` begging you instead of your begging them. Those men are constantly on the `
` lookout for persons who can make good. `
` `
` Once you get into print the battle is won, for it will be an incentive to `
` you to persevere and improve yourself at every turn. Go over everything `
` you write, cut and slash and prune until you get it into as perfect form `
` as possible. Eliminate every superfluous word and be careful to strike `
` out all ambiguous expressions and references. `
` `
` If you are writing for a weekly paper remember it differs from a daily `
` one. Weeklies want what will not alone interest the man on the street, `
` but the woman at the fireside; they want out-of-the-way facts, curious `
` scraps of lore, personal notes of famous or eccentric people, reminiscences `
` of exciting experiences, interesting gleanings in life's numberless `
` by-ways, in short, anything that will entertain, amuse, instruct the home `
` circle. There is always something occurring in your immediate surroundings, `
` some curious event or thrilling episode that will furnish you with data `
` for an article. You must know the nature of the weekly to which you `
` submit your copy the same as you must know the daily. For instance, the `
` _Christian Herald_, while avowedly a religious weekly, treats such secular `
` matter as makes the paper appeal to all. On its religious side it is `
` _non-sectarian_, covering the broad field of Christianity throughout the `
` world; on its secular side it deals with human events in such an impartial `
` way that every one, no matter to what class they may belong or to what `
` creed they may subscribe, can take a living, personal interest. `
` `
` The monthlies offer another attractive field for the literary aspirant. `
` Here, again, don't think you must be an university professor to write for a `
` monthly magazine. Many, indeed most, of the foremost magazine contributors `
` are men and women who have never passed through a college except by going `
` in at the front door and emerging from the back one. However, for the most `
` part, they are individuals of wide experience who know the practical side `
` of life as distinguished from the theoretical. `
` `
` The ordinary monthly magazine treats of the leading questions and issues `
` which are engaging the attention of the world for the moment, great `
` inventions, great discoveries, whatever is engrossing the popular mind `
` for the time being, such as flying machines, battleships, sky-scrapers, `
` the opening of mines, the development of new lands, the political issues, `
` views of party leaders, character sketches of distinguished personages, `
` etc. However, before trying your skill for a monthly magazine it would be `
` well for you to have a good apprenticeship in writing for the daily `
` press. `
` `
` Above all things, remember that perseverance is the key that opens the `
` door of success. Persevere! If you are turned down don't get `
` disheartened; on the contrary, let the rebuff act as a stimulant to `
` further effort. Many of the most successful writers of our time have been `
` turned down again and again. For days and months, and even years, some of `
` them have hawked their wares from one literary door to another until they `
` found a purchaser. You may be a great writer in embryo, but you will `
` never develop into a fetus, not to speak of full maturity, unless you `
` bring out what is in you. Give yourself a chance to grow and seize upon `
` everything that will enlarge the scope of your horizon. Keep your eyes `
` wide open and there is not a moment of the day in which you will not see `
` something to interest you and in which you may be able to interest `
` others. Learn, too, how to read Nature's book. There's a lesson in `
` everything--in the stones, the grass, the trees, the babbling brooks and `
` the singing birds. Interpret the lesson for yourself, then teach it to `
` others. Always be in earnest in your writing; go about it in a determined `
` kind of way, don't be faint-hearted or backward, be brave, be brave, and `
` evermore be brave. `
` `
` On the wide, tented field in the battle of life, `
` With an army of millions before you; `
` Like a hero of old gird your soul for the strife `
` And let not the foeman tramp o'er you; `
`