Glossary for Writers – Writing an Article
Writing Terminology Every Freelance Writer Needs to Know
May 11, 2009
Freelance writing jobs often throw up unusual terms and phrases. Anyone thinking of becoming a freelance writer, needs to become acquainted with the terminology of the professional writer’s world.
Slant or Angle
A “slant” or “angle”, refers to the writer’s individual approach to a subject. It might be a way to make an old well-covered story, new and fresh again; or it might be an unusual combination of subjects such as “Cookery for Teenagers”. When coming up with ideas for articles, an interesting or original slant can increase the potential for catching an editor’s eye.
Title and Subtitle or Title and Deck
The title of the article needs no explanation. Check the house style of the publication to see whether their articles use a subtitle or a deck. Both subtitles and decks expand or explain the title. A subtitle is brief, just a few words, and not more than a single phrase. A deck can be longer, but usually not more than one complex sentence consisting of a few phrases.
Byline
A byline is the line at the top after the title and subtitle or deck, which starts with “by…” and follows on with the writer’s name - hence the name “byline”.
Hook
The hook is so called because it is that thing which will “hook” editors and make them want to buy an article, or “hook” readers and make them want to read an article. The hook is not just the essence of the story, but the essential quality which makes the story unique or interesting.
Lede or Lead
The Lede or Lead is the opening of the article. “Lede” is an archaic Englishi spelling of lead, and was adopted in journalism to avoid confusion with the typographical and printing terms “lead” and “leading” which referred to type and spacing. Nowadays, since printing has changed, there is less confusion and editors may use “Lead” or “Lede”.
The lede paragraph should always contain the hook. In addition, this introduction to the article should contain the most important elements, sometimes know as the 5 Ws and an H: that is…
- Who
- What
- Why
- Where
- When
- How
All the basic facts about the story should be answered by these questions.
Nut Graph or Nut Graf
This can also be spelled, “Nut ‘graph” or can be used in its full form: Nutshell Paragraph. This is the paragraph which tells the story – and highlights its value, or newsworthiness in brief – or encompasses it in a nutshell.
The Nut Graph will normally follow the Lede, and will expand upon the hook delivering the promise of a story that will ensure the reader will keep interested and want to carry on to find out all the details.
Body
The body of the story is the main part of the story which fills out with greater detail everything that the Lede and the Nut Graph have promised.
Conclusion
The end of the article, which ties up loose ends, or describes the current state with some speculation about what will happen in the future in an ongoing story.
Credit or Tagline
A “credit” or “tagline” is similar to a byline, but it gives more information about the author of the article. In online articles it may include a short bio, a link to the author’s website, or a link to a book that they have recently written.
Bio
A summation in a sentence or two of the author’s credentials.
Sidebar
A sidebar provides additional information featuring in more depth something mentioned in the article. It might contain charts or graphs; it might elaborate on a person or organisation mentioned in the article; it might contain factual or follow-up information such as contact details or special links.
A sidebar is normally contained within a box at the side or bottom of the page.
Deadline
The word you must always know the meaning of: The deadline is the date when you must deliver your article to the editor of the magazine. A professional writer must never miss a deadline.
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