When 'no-one dies' is big news

No-one died when an Airbus A320 crashed into the Hudson river, New York, last week. So why was it such big news?

We get used to stories where the number of people who die determines whether or not they make the front page. It's a bigger story if 1000 die than if only 10 die —for some people that is beginning and end of judging news value. Yet US Airways Flight 1549 made the front page even though no-one died.

All sorts of other things drive news value. In this case, the visual nature of the story was important. Even without the pictures, a plane landing on water is a visual story. The reader can imagine the great plume of water as the plane hits and that makes the story compelling.

It is also dramatic. Most of us have been on a plane when that cabin crew demonstrates the life jackets and so we have a picture what the passengers must have gone through. It is a story most readers will relate to.

This story was a visual gift. But with any story it is worth thinking about the value of things we can picture instantly, and we can relate to instantly.

Event news

News stories written about events are often dull because the journalist gives up before they even start. It is the approach, rather than the writing that causes the problem.

It is easy to become diverted by the agenda of the event organisers or people who contribute. The clever journalist keeps a focus on their own agenda or, even better, on that of their reader.

Instead of regurgitating the keynote speech as it's presented to you, look for things that are going to excite your reader:

• The new
• The surprising or quirky
• Controversial material
• Facts that have a scale or an impact on your reader
• Information that has a direct relevance to your reader
• The dramatic

Go beyond the prepared material:

• Listen the questions in Q&As
• Think about what your reader would want to know and ask those questions yourself
• Have a private chat with a speaker once they have finished and ask them to explain the relevance for your readers.
• If the person sitting next to you could be one of your readers, ask them what they think
• Network during tea breaks and find out what speakers think of each other's presentations — create a bit of controversy

Events can be the source of exciting material. Sometimes you just have to work a little harder to get it.

Sharon Osbourne wins libel action

The Sun has settled a libel claim brought by Sharon Osbourne over claims she was working her husband to destruction to pay for her excessive lifestyle, the BBC reports.

The Sun accepted the allegations were untrue and paid undisclosed damages and costs.

Online journalists should know this

Online journalists should note Ten things every journalist should know in 2009 from journalism.co.uk

Writing with style

Kurt Vonnegut offered the following tips on writing with style:

• Find a subject you care about
• Do not ramble, though
• Keep it simple
• Have guts to cut
• Sound like yourself
• Say what you mean
• Pity the readers

His entire article can be found here.

He recommended Elements of Style by Strunk and White.

My complete reading list for journalists and writers includes:

• Essential English: For Journalists, Editors and Writers (Pimlico) by Harold Evans
• The Elements of Style by William, Jr. StrunkWriter's Handbook (Penguin Pocket) by Stephen Curtis
• Bloomsbury Grammar Guide: Grammar Made Easy (Bloomsbury reference) by Gordon Jarvie
• Troublesome Words by Bill Bryson
• The "Times" Style and Usage Guide by Tim Austin
• The "Economist" Style Guide
• The Oxford Style Manual by Robert Ritter
• The Guardian Stylebook by David Marsh
• New Hart's Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Reference) by R. M. Ritter
• Eats, Shites & Leaves: Crap English and How to Use It by Antal Parody
• Mother Tongue: The English Language by Bill Bryson
• The Adventure of English by Melvyn Bragg
• McNae's Essential Law for Journalists by Tom Welsh
• International Libel and Privacy Handbook: A Global Reference for Journalists, Publishers, Webmasters and Lawyers by Charles Glasser
• Oxford Dictionary of English by Catherine Soanes