It is one thing to write an article for the press, but it is quite another thing to prepare an article that will get a response. Results are what we are after, of course. In a recent meeting our results from writing for the local paper were very favorable. People remarked frequently about the write-ups, and some followed them regularly.
If one will trouble himself to follow a few simple rules, he may enjoy surprising success. Extensive study is not required. There is a book entitled Keeping The Church in the sews, by W. Austin Brodie, that furnishes all the necessary information on the subject. An evening's study of this book will equip the average person with the needed knowledge on the subject.
By writing for the press, it is possible to reach some who may never be reached in any other way. After all, the press does continue to remain the outstanding medium of communicating information to the public. Most people are prejudiced against the truth, and therefore will not give themselves the benefit of the doubt by coming out to a meeting. But these people will read the papers. They can read about the meetings without anyone's seeing them. If a report of the meetings can be arranged properly, it will catch the eye, stimulate the curiosity, and hold the attention. If preconceived ideas can be removed and prejudice broken down, some of those who are hard to reach may soon be headed for the meeting hall, with a Bible under their arm.
There are a few things we must know before we can expect success in our endeavors. First, we must develop a keen sense of what constitutes news. Then comes the task of developing the ability to put a unique news twist in our writing.
Brevity is an important factor. The creation story is a fine example of this. Six hundred words tell the entire story of creation. The language is simple, yet it is dramatic. The style is moving and interesting.
The arrangement of the material is very important. We must carefully construct the lead, or opening sentence. In it there should be five elements; namely, What? Where? When? Why? Who? These should be arranged in such an order as to give proper emphasis to the most important element.
This method makes it possible to "bury" the feature of a story in the lead itself. Then if the editor cuts the story, the objective is still achieved.
Another important thing to remember is that editors are not hostile to religious news. In fact, they are quite the opposite. Because our material is of a religious nature there might be a tendency on the part of some to feel that it is inferior to other articles in the paper. If this idea exists in the mind of a person attempting to write for the press, it is bound to affect his writing. It will lack color and life. We should rather develop the attitude that the things we present to the newspapers are the most vital of all because they are of eternal value.
Initiating a program and then staying by it will produce results. Our writing should be timely. Present-day events surely make this aspect not only possible but imperative.
