1. Deconstructing News Features
Editing

2. Good editors
know more than where to put the commas and how to fix AP style errors. That’s “fixing the trees.”
also know how to see — and help the writer fix — the “forest.” How well does it read?

3. To fix ‘the forest’.... This means looking at the Big Picture:
How does the lead work? Does it grab your attention but avoid reporter opinion?
Is there a nut graf*? Does it sum up the article?
What kinds of sources does the reporter use? Are experts included, not just those with opinions?
How are they quoted? Only a sentence or two at a time? Saying something no one else could say?
What about the ending? Does it feel finished without editorializing?
To gain that knowledge, it’s good to deconstruct a story and analyze how it’s put together.
*Nut graf is like a summary lead but after any kind of soft, attention-getting lead like an anecdote or description.

4. Now it’s your turn....
With the highlighters and pens provided, find/assess the following:
Mark the lead: Does it grab your attention but avoid reporter opinion?
Mark the nut graf: Does it sum up the article?
Highlight sources in orange: Does the reporter include experts? Others who are affected by the situation?
Highlight quotes in yellow: Only a sentence or two at a time? Saying something no one else could say?
Highlight transitional words or phrases in blue: Do they move the story along and show how one part relates to the next? Is it a similar example? Or does it indicate an entirely new section??
Mark the ending: Does it feel finished without editorializing?