Writing Broadcast News [Hardcover]

Mervin Block (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1566250846 | ISBN-13: 978-1566250849 | Publication Date: March 11, 2004 | Edition: Revised Edition

Thoroughly revised and greatly expanded, this new edition is even more helpful than the classic first edition. The 1997 revision of Writing Broadcast News - Shorter, Sharper, Stronger is 40 percent longer. And it's even richer and smoother...

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dear Mr. Block, after graduation from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in political science in 1988, I decided to pursue television journalism. You were my teacher. Of course, you didn't know it because we've never talked or exchanged e-mails. Your book, Writing Broadcast News, taught me how to write and, more important, re-write. I still have a copy at my desk and have recommended it to dozens of people. I tell you this now, because I'm leaving for New York to accept a duPont Award, and I owe you a much overdue thank-you. (Jan. 20, 2009) --Doug Smith, investigative reporter, WTVT-TV, Tampa

Mervin Block is an old pro at television newswriting from whom anyone could learn a lot. I know I have. His clinic, criticism, and instruction offer the writer of news a wonderful opportunity for improvement. --Charles Kuralt, CBS News

In this age of text, tweet and 24-hour news channels, good writing is vanishing. That's what makes this book more important now than when first published in 1987. It's a classic. --Robert Mulholland, former president and CEO, NBC --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Mervin Block is a broadcast writing coach and author. He has written news at three television networks: as a staff writer for the "CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" and the "ABC Evening News with Frank Reynolds," and as a freelancer at NBC News. He has written news for Ed Bradley, Tom Brokaw, Walter Cronkite, Douglas Edwards, Charles Kuralt, Roger Mudd, Edwin Newman, Charles Osgood, Dan Rather, Harry Reasoner, Frank Reynolds, Diane Sawyer, Bob Schieffer, Robert Trout and Mike Wallace. Block teaches newswriting workshops at TV and radio newsrooms around the country. In 2004, the Chicago Press Veterans Association chose him as Press Veteran of the Year. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 314 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; Revised Edition edition (March 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566250846
• ISBN-13: 978-1566250849
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #682,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars can't live without it!, March 26, 2000

By 

rosiland jordan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Broadcast News (Hardcover)

Ten years ago, I had the privilege of taking introductory radio writing from Mr. Block while earning my master's degree in journalism at Columbia University. If memory serves, Mr. Block also revisited my spring semester radio news course as a guest editor and instructor. He was a tough and fair instructor -- one of the many highlights of my year at 116th and Broadway.

Mr. Block's book has been indispensible to me ever since. Every so often, I reread a chapter to keep my writing fresh, and to jolt me out of the workaday rut so many reporters and anchors inhabit. Television news works on two levels, the words and the pictures, and it is a challenge and an art to make the two levels work together!

Whether you're a journalism 101 student or a seasoned professional, it never hurts to have this book on your desk (and occasionally at home!). Your viewers, producers, photographers, and managers will thank you!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Broadcast Newswriters: You Need This Book, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing Broadcast News (Hardcover)

To paraphrase Mr. Block, "if newswriting is easy, then you're doing something wrong." This book is for the lover of action verbs and simple words. You're taught to think and to see the beauty of simple writing. And if you want to be GOOD, you must learn to TELL a story. After you read this book, the news will likely not sound the same.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're a serious journalist, this book is a must., August 9, 2005

By 

Mark Rocchio (Los Angeles, Ca) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Writing Broadcast News (Hardcover)

This is the bible of broadcast news writing. Well organized. I'm a 25 year veteran of broadcast news and I still find information in this book that improves my writing and reporting.