Story Pitch vs Write Concisely

Story Pitch

By James Anditis (Journalism)

Write compelling story pitches for editors with hook, sources, scope, and competitive angle.

Write Concisely

By Productivity and Collaboration

Apply classic writing principles to make your docs clear, professional, and easy to read.

Story Pitch

• Provides proven templates for daily news, features, investigations, and op-ed pitches
• Structures your pitch with hook, evidence, access, and timeline sections
• Helps you answer the critical questions editors ask: why this story, why now, why you, why this outlet
• Formats pitches for different publication types and editorial expectations
• Includes real examples showing how to present sources, visuals, and resource needs

Write Concisely

• Applies grammar and punctuation rules from *The Elements of Style* to improve clarity
• Eliminates needless words and strengthens sentence structure
• Enforces active voice and positive phrasing for directness
• Ensures related words stay together and emphatic words land at sentence end
• Checks for common usage mistakes and misused expressions

Reach for Story Pitch when…

• You're pitching a story idea to an editor or publication
• You need to write a freelance query letter that stands out
• You're competing for an assignment in your newsroom
• You want to refine your story angle before you start reporting

Reach for Write Concisely when…

• You're writing documentation, PRDs, or specs and want them to be clear and professional
• You need to tighten up verbose emails or internal communications
• You're drafting content for stakeholders and want to sound polished
• You want your writing to be direct and easy to understand