Newspapers
Editing
When you have completed your story, read it carefully to check for accuracy, grammar and style:
- Make sure you stick to the facts. If you are quoting someone else's opinions or assumptions as part of the story, be sure you say so.
- Check and double-check your facts: spelling of names, addresses, meeting places, times, dates, titles, awards, etc. Accuracy is essential in any news story.
- Check each sentence for mistakes in spelling or grammar.
- Check for errors in style: improper capitalization or punctuation, improperly hyphenated or abbreviated words, etc. Use an AP (Associated Press) stylebook as a guide. It is available at most bookstores.
- Eliminate cliches and empty phrases, and clarify confusing or complicated sentences.
- Check once more to make sure your story is written for your readers. Put the facts most important to them in the first paragraph.
Additional Editing Tips
Most experts agree that effective editing is an important element in good writing. The following tips will help you improve your writing through effective editing.
- Let your work sit for a while--24 hours if possible--before editing it. You'll view it with a fresh perspective.
- Be brutal with your first draft, especially the first few paragraphs. Delete, substitute, rearrange and insert as necessary.
- Read the copy aloud for content and style. When it comes to detecting errors, the ear is more efficient than the eye.
- Make sure your organization is easy to follow--that copy moves logically from beginning to end, and doesn't ramble and confuse.
- Make sure your copy explains who, what, when, where, why and how.
- Get rid of every word that adds nothing to meaning.
- Substitute short, punchy words for long, showy ones.
- Replace abstract words and terms with concrete ones.
- Avoid jargon or technical terms. When you have to use technical terms, explain them.
- Use the strongest verbs possible--active voice, action verbs.
- Vary the length of your sentences and paragraphs; an occasional one-word sentence or one-sentence paragraph can add interest and emphasis.
- Avoid using paragraphs longer than seven or eight typewritten lines.
- Put yourself in the reader's place and re-read the manuscript to be sure nothing can be misinterpreted.
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