Your ShelfYour Projects

Writing for the Press (Conclusion)

4%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 39.

Read the full edition

Writing for the Press (Conclusion)

By W. S. Chapman

Reporting Present Truth

W. S. CHAPMAN
I HAVE before stated that reporting present truth ranks among the very highest of special articles, yet no Sabbath-keeper who has a burden for press writing should feel the slightest discouragement because of the high character of this class of writing. Among the thousands of brilliant men and women reporters connected with the American press, there are few, if any, who can, unaided, write up a Sabbath-keeper's sermon acceptably, simply because they have no personal knowledge of the spiritual truths with which the speaker deals. Here all their worldly wisdom and knowledge of reporting fail.
On the other hand, the well-posted Sabbath-keeper, perfectly conversant with present truth, will not be able to prepare a report of a Sabbath-keeper's sermon attractively, either to an editor or for the public, unless he fully understands and applies the fundamental principles of press writing in the preparation of his story. But the humblest believer in present truth, applying the principles of press writing to his composition, can create a story far superior to anything possible to the practical press reporter, who is wanting in this spiritual knowledge.
Nearly every speaker repeats a proposition of any great importance. Some present their points in as many as three different aspects. As soon as you catch the thought, and the proof is presented, shut your ears to all else spoken, and get the thought and the proof, or text, on paper as quickly as possible.
In this regard you must ever bear in mind that the editor and the public want facts, and only facts. No one cares, particularly, for the arguments of the speaker leading up to the facts and the text, or proof. Editors want cold facts and nothing else, with proof right to the point.
Be very chary of mentioning the authorities quoted, unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. In some cases, as, for instance, the presentation of the subject, “Who Changed the Sabbath?” authorities must be quoted, and literal excerpts presented. If you are critically minded, you will have no difficulty in recognizing the proper exceptions. For authorities quoted, try to interview the speaker before the meeting.
It is never best to attempt to write out a story at the time the sermon is being delivered. Far better to take notes, and afterward, in the quiet of your own room, or tent, assort your facts from your notes, and build up a symmetrical story that will be pleasing to the editor and profitable reading for the public. A hurried composition can not be other than faulty. When an editor opens the columns of his paper for your use, courtesy and justice demand that you should exercise all your skill, and produce profitable matter for publication.
Herewith I present a Sabbath-keeper's notes of a sermon, following them with a report of the day's doings at the camp, the sermon story concluding the whole.
I ask you to study carefully the construction of this matter. Notice how the most important items—the germ—are presented at the beginning; then the other more important matter, or facts.
Notice, too, how each paragraph “tells something,” and tells something about a different subject, so that any one of the paragraphs can be “killed,” yet the story stand complete enough to print. Then, too, notice that I give the editor several small paragraphs of less importance than the leading ones, that can be dropped, and not materially interfere with the rest of the matter, at the same time giving the editor a chance to fit in his copy to suit space without peril to the story itself. With such a construction, an editor can see at a glance that he has a story that he can trim to suit his space, and so, mentally, he will pronounce it “good stuff,” and pass it to the “hook.”
In camp-meeting reporting it is necessary to give daily the “camp gossip,”—the arrivals and departures, or the little interesting happenings, occasionally giving a synopsis of the proceedings during the day at conference meetings or others. In all that you present, however, remember that you must “tell something,” and it must be something new and interesting to the public, not especially to Seventh-day Adventists. Wisdom must be exercised, and all should know how this is to be obtained.

Notes on the Sermon

Subject : The Blessed Hope.
The hope of David and Paul was Jesus. Ps. 39:7; I Tim. 1:1.
Why Jesus is the hope of all. Rom. 5:7, 8, 12, 18, 19.
Paul's hope included a resurrection. Acts 24:14, 15.
The first principle of the gospel. Heb. 6:1, 2; Acts 17:29-32.
Not to rise until the resurrection. John 11:21-24.
Christ's voice will awaken them. 1 Thess. 4:16-18.
So Christ's advent is necessary. 1 Cor. 15:21-23.