The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-21
Writing for the Press.

A good article for newspaper is a
thing of its own kind, not so easily pro.
duced as perhaps many imagine. 1t de-
mands art and skill. What is it in some
of its leading qualities?
First of all, it has good ttle-short,
terse, and eminently suggestive. In this
respect it is well advertised. Whether
an article will be read or not depends
very much upon its title One can gen
orally make tolerably fair guess at its
character, even before reading it, by sim
ply reading the title. This is the first
thing upon which the eye falls, and the
first to make an impression Hence the
title should always be well selected
Next to the title comes the idea of the
article-mainly one, and but one; and
that, too, sufficiently important to give
an ample occasion for a few well.written
paragraphs. A newspaper article is not
book, with series of elaborate chap
tiers, or an exhaustive essay but, rather,
brief monogram for cursory reading, to
be read at least once, and perhaps never
read again The writer must make his
impression with the first blow, not expect
ing to get "A second chance at the same
reader. For this purpose he wants but
one positive and central idea, sufficient
in itself and sufficiently developed to do
the work of the moment in the moment
This idea he should have well in hand
when he starts, knowing what he wants
to do with it, and not trusting to mere
luck and chance as to what he shall write
1t should also be Ering idea-one that
can be worked up into vigorous and
impressive article; and one, too, that has
relations to the present status of things
A living dog is always better than dead
lion. An opportune article that is time.
ly, and says just the right thing at the
right time-thus hitting the nail on the
head-tells upon human thought.
The greatest possible directness in APP,
preaching the idea is a third quality of
good newspaper article. Such an ar
ticle wants no exordium, and needs no
peroration. The better way is not to
skirmish with the reader, or dig trenches
toward him; but to pitch the main
thought into his face Immediately, and
then keep pitching it at him for few
moments, aud then come to dead pause
making no apology for the abrupt be-
ginning, and none for the ending, and
always having the good sense to make
the fewest possible references to ones
self. Write to the reader as if you were
talking to him, and both were in hurry,
and neither had any time to waste upon
mere formalities. This will always please
him best.
Short articles are always the ones
most likely to be read; and, of course,
long ones are those most likely to be un-
read. One column is better than two,
and sometimes half a column better than
either Two columns need very
weighty theme and frst-class writer,
On this subject every writer may judge
of others by himself. Seldom has he
the time or patience to wade through a
long article; and what is true of himself
is equally true of nine men in ten. The
writer's who write for the greatest nun
Der of readers generally do not exceed
a column of an ordinary sized newspa-
per. They know when to stop.
The style of newspaper writing should
be simple and compact, progressive in
the order of thought, stating few ideas