Question #8
Bob Baker, a former LA Times editor, put together a "top 10" list
of things copy editors want from line editors (or assigning/section editors who work most closely with reporters) and vice versa. It's quite an insight into the newsroom world, although it wasn't intended as such. You've all had varying degrees of experience being edited, whether by a professor or a journalist, and have edited the work of others. Put yourself in the mindset of a copy editor and then as a line editor or reporter and contribute at least one thing you'd put on each list -- and explain why. Or, if your favorite point has been made, say so and elaborate on why that point is important from your point of view.
posted by Kate at 7:48 PM
3 Comments:
overall it seems like the copy editors want reporters held to higher standards of detail, and the line editors want copy editors held to higher standards of overall writing style. I think both sides have valid general criticism, I think reporters get a bit cocky and think that they can skip over the gritty details of AP style and precision just because someone else will fix it for them, which is obviously unfair and unprofessional.
Copy editors, on the other hand, probably could stand to accept on a case by case basis, that a writer might have more command of style and voice than the copy editor recognizes. I am reluctant to encourage copy editors to accept the reporters take just because they have a different job description; but if writers are consistently frustrated with the lack of room to "wordsmith," its probably a sign that the copy editor is being overly literal.
It's really just a system of checks and balances. Neither side should be allowed to let up on the other when they see room for improvement.
1:34 PM, November 11, 2005
I think that the list was a bit obvious. Be respectful of the other person's job, be on time, that sort of thing. I think that as either a copy editor or a line editor you already know these things. In fact in any job I would guess these too be true. They are basic principles of any workplace. I guess I would say what either a line editor or a copy editor want from the other is for them to want to do their job. There will be times of course when one will clash with other but that may just be a sign of one's conviction for their job and I think this is obviously a good thing. No line editor is ever going to have the perfect copy editor and vice versa and with any job that is just something they will have to deal with and just do their job the best they can.
11:09 AM, November 14, 2005
The very first suggestion, "have the courage to tell them when their stories don't work" is possibly the most difficult part of editing. It's even more difficult to come up with suggestions that will point the article in the right way. If I had to add a suggestion to the first list it would be that: "If a story is not working, figure out how to shape it. Don't be afraid to ask writers to start over and re-invent a story."
Another challenging part of content editing is giving an article direction while still leaving space for the work to truly be the writer's. It's easy to take over and to want to put things in your own voice when editing (either line editing or content editing. So this is another suggestion I'd add: "Make sure you let the writer's voice remain in the story. Not every phrase has to be direct and literal to be valuable."
Finally, for all groups, I'd add: "Keep the reader in mind." This is the most basic rule of writing, but somehow, sometimes, it gets lost. Newspapers should serve readers stories and information that will be useful. They should not be afraid to tell stories in different ways. There's a reason good literature and poetry are read by millions through the ages. And don't always be a slave to the timepeg. Sometimes the most interesting news is enduring. Expose readers to the history and context of global events - not just the flashy news story of the day.
12:10 PM, November 14, 2005
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