The—Problem—With—Em—Dashes

They're weightless 'footnotes,' not 'headlines': Jack Shafer

(NEWSER) - The Pulitzer Prizes for journalism are awarded today, but they don’t mean a thing, writes Jack Shafer. “I doubt that one newspaper reader in 10,000 could tell you a day after the Pulitzers are awarded who got the prize for explanatory reporting,” he notes in a 2004 piece, reprinted in Slate today. And that’s just fine: “In a perfect world, the prizes would be treated as footnotes rather than the stuff of headlines.” More»

A former Guardian editor shares some advice

(USER SUBMITTED) - Some 15 years ago, a British writer drummed up a list of "commandments" for journalists. Tim Radford, former science, arts, and literature editor at the Guardian, pulled together 25 thoughts in response to a question he asked himself: "What is the most important thing to remember about writing a story?" Answer: "To make someone read it." The Guardian shares his still-sage advice to would-be scribes. A sampling:

• The most important person in your life is your reader.

Trouble is 'thin line' between journalism, commentary: Meghan McCain

(NEWSER) - Keith Olbermann shouldn’t have been taken to task for donating to Democrats because he’s not a journalist—he’s a commentator, argues Meghan McCain in the Daily Beast . But the kerfuffle spotlights a key issue as the lines between entertainment, journalism, and commentary blur: News outlets need to decide which category they fall into, and be clear about it. More»

E-book on proper micro-blogging form to hit iTunes at the end of the month

(NEWSER) - A style guide for Twitter will hit iTunes by the end of the month, the New York Times reports. The e-book, 140 Characters: A Style Guide for the Short Form, will lay out key style points from the Twitter canon, supported with examples of notable Twitterers. Also covered are things one should not Twitter: posts on bodily functions or written in the bathroom. More»