Two books aimed at enhancing writing skills for communication students and practitioners will be launched at the Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra on Tuesday, 28th June, 2022.
The books are:
· Eric’s Diary: A Guide to Writing Feature
Articles Using The 5ws And H + M, O/R
· Eric’s Diary: Creatively writing with the 5Ws
and H
The books were published by Adwinsa Publications Limited. The Bishop of Accra,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Sylvanus Daniel Mensah Torto will perform the launch.
Authored by Mr. Eric Mensah-Ayettey, a seasoned journalist and Public Relations
practitioner, the books are also useful for persons whose work involves writing
in any form.
Mr. Mensah-Ayettey says the decision to put articles he has written over the
past year together in these books, was informed by his quest to help in
developing writing skills.
“Throughout my 25 years of practicing journalism, Public Relations and
Advertising, I have observed that most people have difficulty in writing simple
official letters, press statements, policy briefs, fact sheets, talk less of
position papers and speeches,” he explained.
“My real diagnosis is that many do not have a grasp of the rules of grammar.
That’s mainly because they don’t read. Neither do they listen to good English,”
said the author.
The award winning journalist noted that, “this calls for more work to be done
at the primary and secondary school levels. I urge Teachers at these levels of
our educational system, to evolve the right pedagogy methods to change this
situation. As a communications practitioner, I believe I can contribute to
improve the situation by offering some guidance to all persons whose work
involves writing, hence this book.”
Mr. Mensah-Ayettey acknowledges that the 5Ws and H (Who, What, Where, Why, When
and How) are classically meant for news report writing, “however, in my 25
years’ experience as a journalist and Public Relations practitioner, I dare say
that the concept can be applied to speech writing, fact sheets and feature
writing,” he added.
The launch is expected to be attended by students of journalism, journalists,
Public Relations practitioners, media owners, media regulators, Ministers of
State as well as his friends and family. END
About the Books
1. Eric’s Diary: A Guide to Writing Feature Articles-
Using The 5ws And H + M, O/R -312 pages
In this book, I explain how the 5Ws and H in news writing, as well as my
addition - M, O/ R (Who, What, When, Why, Where and How as well as Motive,
Opinion/ Recommendation) are used to write educative, entertaining informative
and promotional feature articles.
The title, Eric’s Diary: A Guide to Writing Feature Articles stems from the
style adopted for writing these articles. I comment on socio-politico-economic
issues from my personal experiences. This enables me to infuse traditional
wisdom and local language to spice the write-up for readers’ enjoyment.
It is my hope that readers find it useful in their quest to write, especially
opinion pieces, Opeds, Columns, promotional articles for organizations etc.
2. Eric’s Diary: Creatively writing with the 5Ws and H-
136 pages
In here, the reader is guided through the imaginative process deployed to
produce the nine articles- five entertainment-related and four
politico-socio-economic ones.
Using the 5Ws and H, the reader is let in on how the entertainment-related
pieces were imagined, conceived and birthed as well as how the
politically-inclined ones were narrated creatively.
Undoubtedly, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. It is for this
reason that anyone desirous of acquiring this rare skill to churn out similar
entertaining yet informative articles, needs a copy of this book- Eric’s Diary:
Creative writing with the 5Ws and H. This book guarantees the reader a firm
grounding to set off on this quest, leaving the bookworm with only a choice to
proceed.
About the Author
• Eric Mensah-Ayettey is the CEO of CIRE Communications Services.
• He is a Communications Consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the
practice of Public Relations and Journalism.
• An award-winning Journalist, Eric is currently an Editor at myjoyonline.com,
a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group Limited.
• Eric worked with Strategic Communications Africa (Stratcomm Africa) for over
four years as Lead Communications Consultant.
• Prior to that, he worked in various capacities at the Nursing and Midwifery
Council of Ghana.
• Eric also rose through the ranks, from Reporter through Assistant Head of
News to Head of News at Radio Gold 90.5 FM.
• As a student Journalist, Eric had stints with the Ghana News Agency, Ghana
Broadcasting Corporation and the Graphic Communications Group Limited.
• He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public Affairs (UG), a Bachelor’s Degree
in Public Administration (GIMPA), Diploma in Journalism and a Certificate in
Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing (GIJ).
• Eric is an Affiliate member of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana
(IPR) and a member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
• Eric has attended Public Relations Conferences in Johannesburg, South Africa
and London, UK as well as pursued a course in Office Procedures in New Delhi,
India.
• Ericus is married with three children.
Source: Peacefmonline.com