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Craft of Writing

Pamela Occhino

Writers’ Jargon-ese

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the word jargon means:

1 a: confused unintelligible language b: a strange, outlandish, or barbarous language or dialect

2: the technical terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity or group

Every profession has its own jargon–ese and the field of writing is no exception. To the newer or specialized writer, learning what phrases mean is more important than just creating a warm, fuzzy, belonging feeling. By learning industry terminology, the writer is better able to make positive decisions for his/her career as well as being able to exude a professional persona.

Below are some terms and their distinctions to help you decode this specialized language.

Anecdotal Style – is a style of article writing that uses a human-interest story to illustrate a point. A good example of this technique is found in personal essay writing. Learning this style can bring insight and color to a fact-filled article.

Article Peg – is the one angle of an article that is focused on. Most article ideas can be narrowed to concentrate on one aspect of the topic. A good article idea will lend itself to at least three or more angles to focus on. For example, the topic on “How to Get Started in a Freelance Writing Career” could be angled toward what a writer has to do legally to start-up a home-based business; how and where to acquire clips (published samples of your work); or choosing a niche (a specialized market). Each one of these angles is considered a peg.

Article Slant – Gearing an article to a particular publication's readership (a particular market) is called a slant. By discovering the demographics of the readership, you can isolate stages of life, hobbies, interests and socioeconomic status, angling the article to that readership segment. This is why studying past issues of the publication by reading both the advertisements and articles is advisable.

Belles Lettres – translates literally to fine letters. They are found in literature, enjoyed for poetic eloquence, admired more for beautifully expressed language than for practicality or informative value.

Magazine vs. Journal – The journal can look similar to either a magazine or a tabloid newspaper. The magazine is published to serve the public sector, whereas the journal is primarily published by and for a professional segment such as physicians, contractors, realtors and, of course, writers.

On Spec vs. On Assignment – On Spec means on speculation. An editor responds to your query (a writer’s proposed idea to a publisher) with a response that she/he will take a look at it for publication. No promises and no kill fee (a percentage of an assigned article’s fee paid even though it won’t be published). It may be a quick sale, or you may have to peddle it elsewhere. On Assignment means that the query is a go. You are assured of agreed-upon payment and often a kill fee.

Potboiler – is a writing work that will bring in some quick cash while the writer continues to work on a major project such as a book, news or magazine article or a copywriting project. It is for the writer, an easy, nearly effortless piece, requiring little time and research.

Sidebar – A brief assemblage of information, boxed and often presented distinctively different from the news or magazine article it accompanies. It explains or adds to an aspect of the article that would be bulky if presented in the body of the article. It could include something of factual additions, human-interest value or the listing of key information.

Slushpile – A pile (often located in the trash bin) for unsolicited manuscripts to a publisher.

Tearsheet – is another term for a sample of a writer’s published work. It's named for the tearing of the published work out of the newspaper or magazine, to be sent to a queried publisher.


About the Author
Pamela Occhino is an entrepreneur, presenter and freelance writer. In addition to writing business programs, training segments and presentations, she is a frequent contributor to her local newspaper’s personal essay column as well the writing trade. Her most recent publications include Fellow Script, Write From Home, Absolute Write and Writers Weekly.