Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers

by Harold Evans

This brisk and pungent guide to the use of words as tools of communication is written primarily for journalists, yet its lessons are of immense value to all who face the problem of giving information, whether to the general public or within business, professional or social organizations. What makes a good English sentence? How should you rewrite a bad one? What clichés and other word-traps are to be avoided? Using a wealth of examples drawn from British and American newspapers, Essential English is an indispensable guide for all who have to convey information by the written or printed word.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Journalism, Language, Reference, Communication

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Harold Evans is an English-born journalist and writer who was editor of the Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981. A graduate of Durham University, he has written a number of bestselling histories. He followed the late Alistair Cooke in commentaries on America for the BBC. An American citizen since 1993, he has held positions as editor-in-chief of the Atlantic Monthly Press, founding editor of the prize-winning Conde Nast Traveler; editorial director of the Atlantic and US News and the New York Daily News; and president and publisher of Random House. He holds the British Press Awards' Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement of Journalists. In 2001 British journalists voted him the all-time greatest British newspaper editor, and in 2004 he was knighted. Since 2011, he has been editor-at-large for Reuters.

Reviews

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a little disconcerting to discover a mistake in a book that's about how to write well, even if it might simply be a case of an accidental misprint.

That said, this is a great book! It's an ideal read for journalists and anyone else who wants to write good copy to make a living. It will make you think about not just what you write, but how you write. And its witty quips make what could be a very dry read quite entertaining. But that's hardly a surprise when you consider Evans was one of the leading newspaper editors of his time.

If you want to earn money with writing someday make sure this is on your reading list. And it's one to keep dipping into long after you read it the first time!

[Andrew Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on journalistic writing ever written. I first encountered it in journalism college; 25 years on it remains within arms reach on my desk, next to an Oxford dictionary, Roget's Thesaurus and Fowler.

This edition combines Evans' Newsman's English (1972) and News Headlines (1974) to give a comprehensive guide to newspaper (or website) text.

While the book is dated in its reference to technology and newsroom organisation - you won't find any advice on SEO optimisation, but that's no great mystery - its treatment of language remains as fresh as ever.

If you want to write (or edit) news stories, or if you want to learn how to write pithy, effective English, this must be your constant companion until you have absorbed its wisdom - and even then you'll want it close to hand for its lists of clichés, alternative phrases and its headline thesaurus.

Accept no substitute.

[Grania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it at work, while waiting for a PC. It is commonsensical, and full of astute editing suggestions. A new version for online editing would be super-useful.

[Anthony L. Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive read for classic journalists

I approached this read looking for a way to improve my journalistic skills and get constantly better at what I'm doing. I was not disappointed. Essential English contains a plethora of examples of best practice, advice and suggestions to excel in the craft.

It does dwell for too long on some examples sometimes, and I found most of its considerations can be applied only to hard news and print newspapers, rather than online writing. But there is a lot to learn from that too.

Writers looking for ways to get better at online writing might find an outdated read, still too focused on the standards of classic journalism and hard news to be actually useful in the most dynamic online environments. However, it is nice to get a refresh on the basics of journalism, which are sure to be of great inspiration for when you actually sit down at your desk to write online content.

The book even has an amazing dictionary of 'Headlinese' at the end to help with synonyms for headlines. Overall, would definitely recommend.

[Mike Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An updated version of the standard Newsman’s English for more inclusive times (though not so much as this being the 1990s there are still plenty of girls where we’d now have women and rather too many references to Tony Benn and President Reagan for comfort). As an avid reader of Angry People In Local Newspapers, I’d like to lob a copy of Essential English (preferably in hardback) at the head of any hack who deems, steps foot, fumes, guts or flees. Dame Harold Evans must be rotating at 1400rpm in the great newsroom in the sky, especially given the output of Reach. A lesson in economy, precision and impact - the elements of good writing for the news and more.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great editing and writing guide.

[Sam Horti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit dry and dense in places, but full of practical advice and the odd humorous anecdotes. A must read for journalists, both reporters and editors.

[Jordan Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good information but feels out of date, especially in the writing style.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful for anyone who needs a professional style guide

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential English
By Harold Evans and Crawford Gillan

This was a good introduction and guide to the role of the text editor in magazines and newspapers. I have yet to find another book that focuses specifically on this part of magazine/newspaper production - so despite being somewhat out of date, I think this might be the definitive guide for anyone entering journalism through the route of sub editing or copy editing.

4/5

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The penny-a-liner, who has largely disappeared anyway, is a petty corruptor of the language by comparison with Her Majesty’s Government and the Pentagon. English has no greater enemy than officialese. Daily the stream of language is polluted by viscous verbiage. Meaning is clouded by vague abstraction, euphemism conceals identity, and words, words, words weigh the mind down.’

Amen.

[^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and very, very, useful book. One to keep close and dip into: frequently. Despite my initial forebodings, this book is a lively and memorable read.

[Ramesh Prabhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect cure for those who believe that "good" writing necessarily involves the use of bombastic phrases and big words: http://goo.gl/m31PH (The Reading Room).

[Alja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! Since I am studying journalism
I will read it again and again. I think it is interesting for everyone who wants to write a good clear English.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be the most important book I've ever read

[Ngutsav]

It is good book for budding , professional journalists and writers generally.