FORMULA FOR WRITING COPY

Quotations are the foundation of your copy because they tell the story for you;
however, writing copy requires organizing the quotations in a logical way and
linking the quotations together with factual transitions.

Here is the order of the copy:

Lead (use a creative opening)
Quote (set the tone for the story)
Transition (bridges quotes, provides new facts)
Quote (logically follows transition, provides additional information from personal
perspective)
Transition (bridges quotes, provides new facts)
Quote (logically follows transition)
Closing Transition

Top Ten Rules to ALWAYS Remember When Writing Copy:

1. Always keep your paragraphs short. Paragraphs should be under 40 words.
Readers are more likely to skip over big blocks of text.
2. Always avoid vague words: a lot, several, some, few, many. These words are
weak and dont really tell your readers anything.
3. Always avoid using the phrase this year or the name of your school
anywhere in your book.
4. Always be careful to not editorialize. Using quotes is a good way to keep
your copy objective. Never make an opinion statement that cannot be
attributed to a specific source.
5. Always have at least 3 sources in every story along with good quotes. If
youre doing a personal profile, have at least 3 quotes from the featured
person.
6. Always write in PAST tense.
7. Always write in THIRD person. Keeping copy in third person maintains
objectivity. Third person pronouns include he, she, it, and they.
Avoid using first person pronouns I, me, us, and we.
8. Always write in ACTIVE voice.

9. Always use proper attribution.

10.
Always use complete transitions that link your quotes.
Using Proper Attribution:
Because the person who said the quotation is more important than the fact that
he/she said it, an attribution should list the name before the verb.
Quote, sophomore Sally Sue said.
Sophomore Sally Smith said, Quote.
Quote, sophomore Sally Sue said. Quote.

Find an angle:
Compare the concept of an angle to a thesis statement or main idea in an essay.
You may begin with a broad topic, but to write a meaning essay, you must narrow
the topic to a specific, arguable thesis statement. All of the information in the
essay helps to prove that thesis statement; information that does not pertain to
the angle is left out.

Examples of transition words:

Accordingly
Afterwards
Again
Also
Although
At once
At the same time
Before
Besides
Beyond
But
Consequently
Despite

Equally important
Eventually
Finally
First
For example
For instance
Further
Furthermore
However
In addition
In fact
In other words
In particular

Incidentally
Indeed
Later
Likewise
Meanwhile
Moreover
Nearly
Nevertheless
Next
Of course
On the contrary
On the other hand
Rather

So
Soon
Specifically
Still
Then
Therefore
Though
Whats more
When
While
Yet