skeptical editing

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

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