Editing the hard news story

Lead backup Does the information in the story support the lead? Are all questions raised in/by lead answered? How about: Alcohol crashAlcohol crash

Organization Is the most interesting stuff up high Is like stuff kept together (is the eye witness quote near the paragraph that describes the accident) Make sure you are backing up the lead right away. Avoid chronological order, lots of background at the top.

The rest of the story Assumptions about previous knowledge Missing support (evidence, stats, background, experts) Missing other side Libelous information, stereotypes

Still checking for Attribution rules AP style, grammar, spelling Paragraph size (1-2 sentences)

Transitions Are writing devices that shift the reader’s attention from one aspect of the story to another

Transitions can be individual words, such as “also,” “next,” “however,” “another,” “other” Demonstrative pronouns: The meeting, that order

Can also be phrases –“Until then,” –“While recovering in the hospital, …”

Can be complete sentences. Watch out. These must say something, be able to stand alone. Watch for boring transitions: –“Smith agreed.” –See Osborn storyOsborn story

Trimming Good editors shorten stories by trimming words here, sentence there. You are watching for wordiness. Do it surgically.

Most local stories will be roughly the right size before they get the copy desk. If not, reporters usually get first crack at cutting, then assignment editor.

Watch for the usual headless snakes, eliminating needed facts, repeated information, etc. Don’t introduce error.

If it needs a lot of work, send it back