Upload
michael-roberts
View
1.162
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
The Skeptical Editor
Michael Roberts, The Arizona Republic
The essence of journalism is a discipline ofverification. In the end, the discipline ofverification is what separates journalismfrom other forms of communication — fromentertainment, propaganda, fiction or art. …Journalism alone is focused first ongetting it right.
-- Project for Excellence in Journalism,Pew Research Center
Role of an editor
Macro editing
Micro editing
Role of an editor
Macro editing
Micro editing
Macro editing
News value
Timeliness
Audience
Play
Magnitude
Focus
Structure
Format
Tone
Meaning
Micro editing
Accuracy
Grammar
Style
Taste
Voice
Wordcraft
Syntax
Clarity
Pace
Tone
Role of an editor
In all that an editor does, he or she must makedecisions about what to change and what toleave alone.
-- Buck Ryan, Michael O’DonnellThe Editor’s Toolbox
Role of an editor
…decisions about what to change and whatto leave alone
Let it go
Change it
Seek fix, clarification
Hold
Macro editing
…decisions about what to change andwhat to leave alone
Macro choices Micro choicesNews value
Timeliness
Audience
Play
Magnitude
Focus
Structure
Format
Tone
Meaning
Accuracy
Grammar
Style
Taste
Voice
Wordcraft
Syntax
Clarity
Pace
Tone
Clear writing hinges on clear words andsentences. But you should not wait until you areat the keyboard to begin thinking about clarity.Clarity is cumulative. You should build it intoyour overall philosophy and approach, from theassignment stage through reporting andfocusing. The precision of your sentences will bedirectly proportional to the clarity of thinking inyour ideas, reporting and story planning.
-- Carl Sessions SteppMagic & Craft of Media Writing
Five Stages of a Story
Idea Report Organize Draft Revise
Macro editing Micro editing
The precision of your sentences will be directlyproportional to the clarity of thinking in your ideas,reporting and story planning.
ALEX bus routes
ALEX bus routes
News value
Timeliness
Audience
Play
Magnitude
Focus
Structure
Format
Tone
Meaning
Prosecute the story
1. Brainstorm facts of the case
2. Identify “theory of the case”
3. Build case around theory
Prosecute the story
• Brainstorm / discuss basicstoryline; be specific as possible
• Test “theory” or premise againstfacts
• Identify facts that support thecase
• Identify facts “beyond change”that may not support case;account for them
Case review
1. Brainstorm facts of the case
2. Identify “theory of the case”
3. Build case around theory
Micro editing
…decisions about what to change andwhat to leave alone
Macro choices Micro choicesNews value
Timeliness
Audience
Play
Magnitude
Focus
Structure
Format
Tone
Meaning
Accuracy
Grammar
Style
Taste
Voice
Wordcraft
Syntax
Clarity
Pace
Tone
LibelAccuracy
Fairness
Taste
Spelling / grammar
Localisms
Typographical errors
Style preferences
Mistakes are painful
Exercise: Micro editing
Accuracy: _______________
Grammar: _______________
Style: ___________________
Taste: ___________________
Accuracy, libel, taste & fairness
SLOW DOWN!
Topics crimes deaths
lawsuits tragedies
firingsaccusations
Elementsnamesaddressesdetailslanguageattributionbalance
Examples
The bond was rejected on margin of 61 percent to 39percent.
The mistrial sends murderer Bud Adams back to jail toawait a new trial, which may not be possible beforeJudge Jennifer Knox retires from the bench.
Rupert Jones declared bankruptcy in May. JonesCustom Homes was sold the following month andrenamed Star Homes. Creditors have filed suit.
Acme Dating Service lied to customers when fullbackground profiles were not posted on the web site withthe photos, limiting information to education and city.
Skeptical systems
The old process (of accuracy) is being stripped away almostbeyond recognition. It wasn’t designed to shrink to this level. As aresult, a new process is required -- rather than a requirement touse a spellchecker. If they plan to have fewer people reviewingstories, then every person who touches an article or headline orcutline has to be trained to take on new functions andresponsibilities. Yes, there is a crisis of a lack of skilled people in newsrooms.But it’s also a crisis of training and process in the sense that wedon’t look to these areas when people get shown the door. Ifyou’re going to upend the old editorial process, you need to createa new one. This is the year to reengineer the quality control process atnewspapers and other media organizations.
-- Craig Silverman, “Quality Control” (Jan. 8, 2010),Columbia Journalism Review
Sample CQ policy All content must be CQ’d before publication.
Everyone who creates / changes content must check andCQ. (Reporter, content editor, copy editor, artist, designer,photographer, producer, platform manager, news assistant.)
Elements that require CQ:
1. Proper nouns.2. Phone numbers and fax numbers.3. Web addresses.4. Times and dates of events.5. Addresses, including street designation and city.6. Math, prices, statistics and other numerical information.
A system for editing
1. Prepare to edit
2. Read through
3. Address macro questions
4. Lock in lead, basic outline
5. Address micro questions
6. Read through
Another system for editing
Carl Session Stepp
1. Prepare to edit
2. Read through
3. Edit for content
4. Edit for structure
5. Read through
Fixer vs. Coach
The major cause of disagreements betweenwriters and line editors is that revisions appear tobe arbitrary and are not adequately explained.
-- Daryl L. Frazell, George TuckPrinciples of Editing
The Good Editor
• Make the simplest fix possible.
• For close calls, let the writer’swords stand.
• When in doubt, seek help byasking questions.
Clarity
Precision
Simplicity
BrevityVerification
Accuracy
StructureDescription
http://newstrainers.wordpress.com
http://www.slideshare.net/michael.roberts
newstraining blog