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Our Philosophy: How to Use This Book | |
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Think Like an Editor | |
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An Editor's Credo: Design a mission statement that defines you | |
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Planning the Story | |
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10 Steps to a Better Story: How to Work with Reporters on a Focused Plan before They Report: Plot an effective and reasonable approach to stories of all kinds | |
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Enterprise: How to Come Up with Good Story Ideas: Nurture this trait, and build your reputation as "The Idea Person" | |
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Spot News: How to Help Reporters React to Breaking News: Move quickly, and with confidence, when the news surprises you | |
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News Judgment: How to Decide What's Important: Assess things, and make wise choices | |
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Curiosity: How to Strengthen This Trait: Ask yourself What am I curious about? | |
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Analyzing the Story | |
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See the Big Picture: How to Answer, "What's the Story?": Grasp the essence of the story through conversation | |
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10 Questions in 10 Minutes: Mow to Keep the Story Talk Going: Don't get stuck ... get inspired | |
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Structure: How to Ensure an Organized Story | |
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Structure: Opening Paragraphs: Start fast-and start right | |
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Structure: Lead: Be efficient, quick and to the point | |
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Structure: Quotes: Let sources speak for themselves | |
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Structure: Nut Graph: Ask die key questions to unlock story meaning | |
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Structure: Cosmic Graph: Think big and expand story horizons | |
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Give Credit: Haw to Ensure Proper Attribution, Sourcing and Substantiation: Acknowledge others' contributions to your own work | |
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Show, Don't Tell How to Include Anecdotes, Examples and Details: Employ powerful techniques to energize storytelling | |
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Context: How to Provide Background and Relevance: Help readers understand what's important and why | |
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Closer Look: How to Tell Where the Story Works and Where h Needs Work: Get a quick sense of what you hope and what you need | |
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Assessing the Story | |
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Skeptical Editing: Ask Key Questions Graph by Graph: Ensure a complete, honest and Insightful story | |
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Pace: Keep the Story Moving: Don't lose your story's momentum-or readers' interest | |
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Sensitivity: Sexual Orientation/Gender/Race/Religion/Disabilities/Age: Understand and celebrate differences | |
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Holding a Story: 10 Warning Signs That a Story Should Not Run: Know when to take extra time if the story needs mote work | |
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Saving a Story: 10 Things You Can Do to Make a Story Work: Know what to do when you want to - or need to-publish | |
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Work Like an Editor | |
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Editing the Story | |
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Treat Editing Like a Mystery: How to Approach a Story: Follow a logical and sup-by step process | |
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Edit for AP Style: Remember the rules, and edit with discipline | |
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Edit for Grammar: Avoid everyday mistakes that hurt your image | |
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Edit for Spelling: Read every word, and pronounce every syllable | |
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Edit for Punctuation: Understand the functions, and use them correctly | |
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Edit for Accuracy: Check everything, and check again | |
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Edit for Fairness: Consider readers' many perspectives | |
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Edit for Balance: Realize what it is and how to assess it | |
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Edit for Libel: Learn the warning signs that could lead to legal trouble | |
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Tight Writing: How to Keep It Simple: Strive to uncomplicate the message | |
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Trim a Story: How to Identify 10 Places to Cut: Work delicately, and leave no trace | |
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Transitions: How to Change Subjects and Speakers: Lead readers through the story | |
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Clich�s: How to Be Original: Use your own words, not retreads | |
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Verbs: How to Choose Strong Ones: Select words that make the story move | |
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24-Hour Local News Cycle: How to Handle It: It never stops-and neither will you | |
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Web Elements: 5 Cautions: Mine the Web, but proceed with care | |
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Ethics: How to work your way to the right decision | |
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Taste: How to decide what offends | |
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Presenting and Selling the Story | |
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Headlines, Keywords and Metadata: Grab attention for your content, and help readers find it | |
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Points of Entry and Points of Involvement: Choose ways to get readers interested and engaged | |
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Graphics and Maps: Tell the who, what, when, where, and how with strong visuals | |
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Photos: Convey visual content and emotion | |
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Promos and Refers: Write with power and clarity, and be direct | |
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Act Like an Editor | |
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Using Authority Responsibly | |
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Corrections: Own Up to Mistakes: Earn your readers' trust and respect | |
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Credibility: Put Yourself above Reproach: Understand the pitfalls, and avoid them | |
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Plagiarism and Fabrication: What Editors Can Do: Be vigilant, and protect careers and reputations | |
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Deadline Pressure: How to Get Along in the Newsroom: Set an example by acting like a professional | |
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Keep Asking Questions: Stay sharp through self-reflection | |
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References | |
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Index | |