Editing for the Media

1. Editing for the Media Class Introduction

2. Getting started • About me • Contact info / need your email addresses • Required texts and optional reading • Class schedule and syllabus (handout) • Project: 5-page plus written analysis and short oral presentation (handout) • Course Web site: www.mycoursesite.com/mcgrath

3. Grading • (7) Story exercises get a numerical grade (100 points each). Serious errors result in an automatic D- or F (usually a 60) • (6) AP exercises (100 pts each) and (10) current events quizzes (20 pts each for 200 points) • Project (200 points) • Take-home final (300 points) • Overall score: 2,000 points (divide by 20) • Extra credit (next slide), bonus points day • Absences and late work (10 points off for every day the work is late)

4. Extra credit • Extra story editing exercises can be worked to boost a grade • Word editing exercises to boost AP or current events grades • Boo-boo gems: Significant errors (more than simple typos, duped words) you find in print, online or elsewhere that you bring in will earn 3 points on story grades. Three “boo-boos” equal a letter grade. • Headline drills (5 optional exercises)

5. The editor’s world What do these editors do to earn that paycheck anyway?

6. The Editor’s World They take a real close look at things, of course … sometimes two or three times if necessary.

7. Editing Not only do editors look at stories, headlines, layouts, etc. closely, but they have to look at them with different eyes. What does that mean? Editors represent the reader / information consumer. The editor makes sure the material is suitable – in discernability and taste – for the majority of the target audience. Editors want to avoid trouble … and because that “trouble” can come at you from any number of directions, you need to have your eyes on a swivel. Metaphorically speaking, learning the basics of newswriting was like learning to drive. Editing skills help you learn to be a “defensive driver” – and stay out of trouble. What else do editors do? Take a look …

8. Well, they don’t just sit around smoking cigars all day, that’s for sure. And by the way, more and more women are copy editors and senior editors. Just look around the room and you’ll see why.

9. Editors have a lot of decisions to make – some big, some small. They may affect just the newsroom staff or all readers / viewers / customers.

10. Editors have to be good planners. How much room is needed for Super Bowl coverage? How many people are needed to work on Election Night? How do we cover the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11? Some decisions must be weighed carefully.

11. Some editors have to really s-q-u-e-e-z-e to fit the day’s content into the space available or the time allowed. (Note the baby on board!)

12. Often, an editor finds themselves putting out fires between colleagues and reporters, with other departments, with production staff, with supervising editors or with disgruntled readers / viewers.

13. Editors are supervisors. Sometimes the editor has to chew some … tail to get things done as they should be. But remember, it’s better to praise in public and criticize in private.

14. Editors also have to be wordsmiths, making words work with visuals. And a bit of wordplay is one of the most enjoyable parts of an editor’s job.

15. A good editor knows there are different points of view out there. It’s a diverse world, with different tastes, likes, needs as well. One editor said if we put out a paper that contains only the stuff that he likes, then we would only need to print one copy.

16. A good editor knows that, sadly, you won’t be able to educate everyone. Whether it’s reporters or readers, sometimes they just won’t get the message. So you just try to reach those you can. Yes, that is indeed a surge protector floating on a pair of sandals. Obviously, more beer is needed here.

17. But there’s always some days when you just have to say: “How did we get into this mess?” Thank goodness, we can start over fresh tomorrow.

18. The Editor’s World • Editing is taking something someone else has created and then molding it so it can be presented in its best form. Editors almost always work with material originated by someone else. • There is micro-editing and macro-editing. Micro-editing would include spelling, style, fact checking etc. Macro-editing takes a broader view. • The editor comes between the information-gathering stage and the information-receiving stage.

19. For those of us in or going into the communications racket, what is that widget we run off the assembly line each day, that product that we sell? Information. We try to transport information from Point A to Point B, whether by print or electronic means. A ------------- (editor) -------------- BBBBBBBB (readers) Note that those “B’s” out there gather and assimilate information in different ways and according to their own filters. They process the information in different ways; some info they always let in and some they won’t.

20. Editing is a by-product of the translation theory of communication. Communication is the transfer of an intended message, generally through language. This process can be divided into two broad stages: transmission (speaking, writing) and reception (listening, reading). But there are two other stages here that are of interest to the translation theorist; before transmission, the message must be formulated accurately (coherence) and after reception, the message must be understood accurately (assimilation). The editor helps create accuracy and understanding. To do so successfully, this theory implies that the editor not only know about forming messages, but be knowledgeable of diverse audiences

21. Editors should have: Confidence Objectivity Awareness of readership Diplomacy Be able to write well Good sense of what matters Sense of humor Awareness of the workplace/newsroom Curiosity Breadth of knowledge Qualities of a good editor

22. Qualities of a good newspaper/magazine/newscast/webcast Try the acronym APE • Analytical: It explains what stories mean to its readers, gives context. • Practical: It does the things you expect, like give a weather report, tell what the city council did last night, list who is running for office, etc. • Emotional or entertaining: It doesn’t forget to get a chuckle now and then or tug on the heartstrings. (HINT: This is a good guide for your project papers)

23. Decisions, decisions Editors have to make a variety of decisions: • Because of time and space constraints, how much of a story gets used • What words go into the display type (heds, promos, cutlines) • What art elements are necessary • Who covers what story • Ethical / legal concerns • Editorial stances

24. Decisions, decisions Sometimes simple word choice decisions aren’t so simple. After the Supreme Court rendered its ruling on the 2000 election, the Chronicle debated between a lead headline of: Bush wins presidency or ….. Bush obtains presidency We went with the latter, to some criticism.

25. Marketing issues • Marketing your product • Marketing yourself

26. For those of us in the communications industry -- in whatever facet thereof -­ information is the product we have to sell. Not only is the content of information important to our success, but how it’s presented is vital as well. Those of you with the most polished communications skills will have a decided advantage toward obtaining jobs and promotions than those with lesser abilities. Marketing issues

27. A tighter market • Making yourself more marketable is extremely important in the ever-changing communications arena. In 1920, 700 U.S. cities boasted more than one competing newspaper. About 10 years ago (1997), there were more than 50 cities in the U.S. with at least two competing newspapers. Now there are about 15 -- fewer than 4 percent of U.S. cities have competing papers under separate ownership. Media consolidation and corporate ownership has certainly played a role in reshaping the communications landscape as well …

28. On the broadcast front Television • Westinghouse bought CBS (1995), then later merged with Viacom (1999). • Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. owns Fox News • Disney has ABC • General Electric has NBC • Time-Warner has CNN Radio • Clear Channel Communications of San Antonio owns about 1,500 stations in the U.S. • Viacom’s Infinity Broadcasting is No. 2 with 185 stations.

29. Dealing with change • Newspapers aren’t just newspapers anymore; they are information platforms. More and more, newspapers and other mediums are incorporating podcasts, vodcasts, blogs into the information-delivery mix. We live in the age of convergence, and the need for a variety of skills is greater than ever before. Comm shop managers don’t want folks who are just news reporters or ad writers anymore, they want folks who can also write blogs, create videos or post content to the Web.

30. Finding alternatives Additionally, newspapers are exploring other means of reaching consumers who shun their primary product, offering free tabloids like the RedEye (Chicago Tribune) and Quick (Dallas Morning News) – or, in the case of Orange County, a pay-for tab (the OC Post). The Chicago Sun-Times started the streak as a competitor to the RedEye, but it folded.

31. More alternatives http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/sports/football/video/06/12/26/video.html The Chronicle’s editor, Jeff Cohen, has given a speech on how John McClain, a Chron sports writer, has “saved journalism.” McClain, who writes for the paper, does a blog, writes for various football Web site and has even appeared in movies (The Longest Yard remake), is one of the lead characters in these ongoing video logs (vlogs) on the Chronicle Web site. Some of these vlogs are informational and some are merely entertaining. You be the judge of the latter.

32. Getting ahead In newsrooms and other shops, there are generally two routes up the ladder – reporting and editing (or information gathering and information shaping). Hollywood would like you to believe that reporters are like Robert Redford or Dustin Hoffman in All the President’s Men.

33. Getting ahead Actually, many reporters are more like the Dustin Hoffman character in Rain Man. That’s why editors have job security.

34. The “C” word: Credibility So, as long as there are reporters, there will be a need for editors. The need for informational “vetters” -- albeit human ones -­ is extremely important. Too much unvetted information can get you, well, the Internet. How well you can sell your information product is largely dependent on credibility (or the status of the competition). Can the public trust your product? Editors are the guardians of credibility. That “C” word goes a long way toward determining the success of your product and yourself.

35. Credibility issues Princeton University Press recalled all copies of one of its spring titles after discovering more than 90 spelling and grammar errors in the 245- page work. The book, Cop in the Hood: My Year Policing Baltimore's Eastern District, by Peter Moskos, was published with an initial press run of 4,000 copies. ``I was flabbergasted and embarrassed,'‘ said Peter Dougherty, the press's director. ``This is a terribly embarrassing matter for Princeton University Press.'' Moskos's manuscript had been given to an inexperienced copy editor who failed to do the job properly. ``We take a lot of pride in the quality of our copy editing,'' Dougherty said, citing the publisher's 103-year track record. ``In this case, we messed up very, very badly.'' Asked how much the recall would cost, Dougherty replied, ``a lot.''

36. What’s ahead The bulk of the work that you will do in this class will be story editing -- so most of your decision making will fall in the category of word choice. But I also hope to discuss design and broader journalism issues such as ethics and libel, how to get a job as well. Please feel free to bring up any topic for discussion.

37. Handouts • How to build reader trust • Resumes: Get the names right! • Anguished English by Richard Lederer • Ski boot ad and reaction • Your first editing test • Spelling fines • Web sites

38. The not so good, the downright bad and the real ugly

39. What’s in a name? Paragraph from a New York Times story on how circumcision can reduce the likelihood of getting HIV: Circumcision is ``not a magic bullet, but a potentially important intervention,'' said Dr. Kevin M. De Cock, director of HIV/AIDS for the World Health Organization. Any need for caution here?

40. What are they using for bait? Headline: Long-time fishing buddies get down to business with S&M Tool deck: Duo 'talked about this a lot' before starting company (from the Green Bay Press Gazette) HOBART - Fishing buddies Jim Fuss and Joe Leiterman spent long hours in their boat talking about what they would do if they ever owned a business. Turns out, they planned it pretty well. S&M Tool, their custom-partsmanufacturing shop, is one of 39 Wisconsin businesses nominated for the19th annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards to be presentedThursday in Milwaukee.

41. Joe, we hardly knew ya Check out this paragraph from an Associated Press story on John McCain’s VP selection process: Less traditional choices mentioned include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice-presidential prick in 2000 who now is an independent. AP quickly sent a revise on the story – “for minor edits” – without indicating what was fixed, as is their usual procedure.

42. Would you run this ad? The Denver Post did … in its Valentine’s Day edition in 2007. I’m not exactly sure what the advertiser was trying to sell here … and the Houston Chronicle opted not to run it.

43. Heterosexuals need not apply Six Flags was offering individual season passes in this ad, but the company shouldn’t have passed on the editing process on its contact information.

44. Hmmm, wonder what the Christmas discount will be?

45. Looks like someone could have used a “spelling ace” before placing this ad.

46. Justkid stuff Ya think? They’re driving younger every day …

47. Answering the phone calls over the first ad might have been exhausting too.

48. Wal-Mart takes the cake Someone took their marching orders a bit too literally. Anyway, all kinds of professions out there can use a good editor sometimes.

49. When it’s really important to get it right The Chronicle’s mortuary desk doesn’t have an editor – which might have prevented the need for a correction on the paid mort shown. Does the gentleman at upper left look 16? The real Michael Rice

50. Next class: • Read the chapter on headline writing • First news quiz • First AP exercise will be emailed • Decide upon a project subject (newspaper, magazine or Web site)