Chapter 7B Headline Writing And Copy Editing

As we begin… You have made it (successfully) through the writing portion – now it is time to work on crafting the newspaper itself You have made it (successfully) through the writing portion – now it is time to work on crafting the newspaper itself

Headline Writing Seems almost impossible to write a good headline Seems almost impossible to write a good headline Headlines should be pulled from the lead Headlines should be pulled from the lead But don’t simply restate the lead either But don’t simply restate the lead either

Styles of Headlines Centered (we do this a little bit) Centered (we do this a little bit) Flush-left/ragged right Flush-left/ragged right Hammer Head – top line larger than bottom line Hammer Head – top line larger than bottom line Kicker – smaller headline above the main headline Kicker – smaller headline above the main headline Wicket – not used much – several lines lead up to the main headline Wicket – not used much – several lines lead up to the main headline

Headline Rules Do not write in all-caps – only capitalize the first word and all proper nouns Do not write in all-caps – only capitalize the first word and all proper nouns Trim all articles and unnecessary words Trim all articles and unnecessary words Verbs should always be in present tense Verbs should always be in present tense Use infinitives for future tense Use infinitives for future tense Avoid alliteration Avoid alliteration Can use play on words – don’t go overboard Can use play on words – don’t go overboard

Stylistic Issues with Headlines Don’t split infinitives between lines Don’t split infinitives between lines Don’t split people’s names between lines Don’t split people’s names between lines Don’t split prepositions and phrase between lines Don’t split prepositions and phrase between lines Avoid verbs of ‘to be’ Avoid verbs of ‘to be’ Use the short word list on page 174 Use the short word list on page 174

Copy Editing Need to strive for correctness and quality Need to strive for correctness and quality We have our own stylebook to follow We have our own stylebook to follow Look for the following problems Look for the following problems Spelling – really? Spelling – really? Repetition Repetition Dangling Modifiers Dangling Modifiers Misplaced pronouns Misplaced pronouns Subject-verb agreement Subject-verb agreement

More Copy Editing Look for ways to enhance story coherence through order Look for ways to enhance story coherence through order Copy editor should not make changes, however, just because he or she feels the need to do so Copy editor should not make changes, however, just because he or she feels the need to do so There must be cause for change There must be cause for change

Copy Editing - Accuracy Must know how to spell Must know how to spell Must also check facts with sources Must also check facts with sources Pay attention to the following Pay attention to the following Names Names Numbers Numbers Criminal Activity Criminal Activity

Copy Editing - Editing Paragraphs should flow logically Paragraphs should flow logically Tighten loose writing Tighten loose writing

Copy Editing - Attribution Important to attribute sources Important to attribute sources We have already worked on this We have already worked on this

Copy Editing - Symbols A list can be found on pages A list can be found on pages

Finally… Be meticulous Be meticulous Be vigilant Be vigilant Ask questions Ask questions