Writing for the Mass Media (6th Edition) [Paperback]

James G. Stovall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2005

This successful book offers a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give readers the information about media writing and the opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a workbook-style format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing–inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations–and covers all major areas of media, including the Internet. Its basic and practical approach make it an excellent text for an introductory writing course.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“What impresses me most is how the author relates to the subject matter, the instructor, and the student all at once. Written in a non-stilted style, it is easily understood, practical, and it gets results.”

-         Ronald P. Westpheling, George Mason University

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

This successful text offers a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students the information about media writing and the opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. Using a workbook-style format, it introduces and explains the major forms of media writing: inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations. Writing for the Mass Media also covers all major areas of media, including the Internet. In addition, its basic and practical approach makes this text an excellent book for any introductory writing course.

New to the Sixth Edition

• A completely rewritten chapter on writing for the Web uses innovative exercises to develop writing skills, accounts for many of the structures and demands of the web environment, and helps students navigate in this medium.
• Many new examples of good writing are featured in the text, against which students are encouraged to model their own writing.
• New exercises found in many of the chapters, including those involving grammar and style, allow students to put content into practice.
• An updated Companion Website (www.ablongman.com/stovall6e) and Instructor’s Manual, with additional material for lectures and discussion, as well as some additional exercise material, provide supplementary material for users.
• A glossary provides easy access to definitions of terms used throughout the book.

Praise for Writing for the Mass Media

“Stovall’s strengths are many. . .the book is a bargain and the inclusion of exercises for each chapter heightens its bargain status. Likewise, the back-to-basics approach makes the book accessible to a wide range of students.”

“For those who are in search of breadth, Stovall’s greatest virtue has to be the diversity of media writing tasks addressed. Not one of the competitors that I have used offers nearly the diversity of writing assignments treated by Stovall.”
Laurence W. Fennelly, Macon State College

“Stovall’s text is easy to read and the information is easy to access for any entry-level course in media writing.”
Christine Cranford, East Carolina University

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 6 edition (June 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205449727
• ISBN-13: 978-0205449729
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #422,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Using Book in Class, September 19, 2001

By 

Lauren (Howell, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing for the Mass Media (5th Edition) (Paperback)

This is an interesting book. I am using it for my Writing for Mass Media class. The author puts at least 5-10 exercises at the end of each chapter for you to review the concepts which were talked throughout the chapter. Not really a sit down and read book, but does go over writing for media basics.

5.0 out of 5 stars Writing for the Mass Media, June 28, 2011

By 

Jo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing for the Mass Media (7th Edition) (Paperback)

This book was a great textbook. It started with the basics and moved along smoothly to make sure every point of writing for print, broadcast, or web was made clear.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, September 22, 2007

By 

V. Gainey (Spartanburg, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing for the Mass Media (6th Edition) (Paperback)

This book has helped me tremendously in my class. I'm glad I bought it from Amazon b/c it was very affordable.