Good Grammar = Good Journalism
Journalism depends on accuracy. Accuracy extends not only to content but also to correctness of expression. Words must be spelled properly. Sentences must make grammatical sense. Punctuation must clarify meaning. Style must reflect tone. If you want to write clearly and effectively, do yourself a favor—hone your basic writing skills. Use Brush Up diligently. It offers straightforward, concise instruction and plenty of practical exercises. With this solid foundation, your writing will help you step into a strong future in journalism.
Sentence Structure
Looking Ahead... |
The Complete Sentence
A complete sentence is the main building block of meaning. It expresses a complete thought, which has two parts:
- a subject — says who or what the sentence is about.
- a predicate — says something about the subject: what it does, what is done to it, or what state it is in.
Here's how the complete sentence (complete thought) works.
Mary Hargrove interviewed the officials of the Penn Square Bank of Oklahoma about the bank's financial condition. ( Subject + Predicate )
The direct lead in journalism tells readers, "Here comes something important." ( Subject + Predicate )
| Note: A complete sentence is also known as a main or independent clause. |
Here are two tips to keep in mind about subjects and predicates:
| TIP #1: | A. To find the subject, ask WHO or WHAT? |
| B. To find the predicate, ask WHAT about the subject? |
Mary Hargrove interviewed the officials of the Penn Square Bank of Oklahoma about the bank's financial condition.
- Who? = Mary Hargrove
- What about the subject? = interviewed the officials of the Penn Square Bank of Oklahoma about the bank's financial condition.
The direct lead in journalism tells readers, "Here comes something important."
- What? = The direct lead in journalism
- What about the subject? = tells readers, "Here comes something important."
| TIP #2: | A. The subject of a sentence is always a noun (person, place, thing or idea) or a pronoun (substitute for a noun: he, she, it, they). |
| B. The predicate must have a verb (indicating action or a state). |
Mary Hargrove interviewed the officials of the Penn Square Bank of Oklahoma about the bank's financial condition.
- Mary Hargrove = noun
- interviewed = verb
The direct lead in journalism tells readers, "Here comes something important."
- The direct lead = noun
- tells = verb
The reporters listened.
- The reporters = noun
- listened = verb
Politics is a complex field.
- Politics = noun
- is = verb
He is respected for writing fair and balanced stories.
- He = pronoun
- is = verb
| Note: You will find more instruction on nouns, pronouns, and verbs in the Verbs and Agreement sections of Grammar. |