Language: pompous, pedantic and plain -- News writing: information is not enough -- Leads: the agony of square one -- The case for the period -- Journalese -- Tone: the inner music of words -- Pitfalls: attributive verbs and loaded words -- Quotes: your words or mine? -- Color: dip your brush in small details -- Pseudo-color: cliches and other trespasses -- Features: a view for the poets' corner -- Usage: handling those hectoring hangups -- Bestiary: a compendium for the careful and the crotchety.