Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiyya
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- Alam Al Kotob
Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiyya (The Art of Journalistic Writing) is a specialized treatise on journalistic genres and techniques by Faruq Abu Zayd, examining the principles and practical mechanics of writing for the press .
Theoretical Framework and Terminology
The work aims to integrate two dimensions of knowledge: theoretical understanding derived from Arabic and English scholarship, and practical knowledge reflecting the dynamic realities of journalistic practice .
Abu Zayd addresses the distinction between the terms fann al-kitaba al-sahafiyya (the art of journalistic writing) and fann al-tahrir al-sahafi (the art of journalistic editing) . He notes that the latter gained widespread usage following works by Mahmud Azmi (Muhadarat fi Fann al-Tahrir al-Sahafi) and Abd al-Latif Hamza (al-Madkhal fi Fann al-Tahrir al-Sahafi) . However, Abu Zayd argues that "writing" is more precise, drawing parallels to radio, television, literary, and theatrical writing . He differentiates the creative act of composing an interview, investigation, report, or article (corresponding to the English writing) from the subsequent editorial preparation for publication performed by editors, managing editors, or the newsroom desk (corresponding to editing) .
Structure and Contents
The book is arranged into five main chapters detailing major journalistic genres :
- The Press Interview (فن الحديث الصحفي): Encompasses the definition of the interview, preparation, conducting the interview, writing techniques, telephone interviews, and press conferences .
- The Press Investigation (فن التحقيق الصحفي): Covers definition, preparation, and writing methods for investigative pieces .
- The Press Report (فن التقرير الصحفي): Addresses definition, writing strategies, news reports (التقرير الإخباري), live reports (التقرير الحي), and profile reports (تقرير عرض الشخصيات) .
- The Press Article (فن المقال الصحفي): Examines definitions, editorial articles (المقال الافتتاحي), regular columns (العمود الصحفي), critical review articles (المقال النقدي), and analytical articles (المقال التحليلي) .
- The Press Campaign (فن الحملة الصحفية): Explores definitions, journalistic coverage of campaigns, and applied models, defining the campaign as an orchestrated employment of multiple journalistic genres to achieve a designated objective .
Methodology and Sources
The author employs three research methodologies: the analytical method, the comparative method, and the historical method .
The study relies primarily on original Arabic and foreign literature on the topic, along with collections of Arabic newspapers published inside and outside the Arab world, as well as selected samples from British and American periodicals . Arabic newspaper material serves as the primary basis for applied examples throughout the text, with foreign press examples utilized when suitable Arabic models were unavailable .
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