Editor's Checklist
  • Are all photos in CMYK (TIF)?
  • Have all names been checked?
  • Do we have all ads that need to go into the paper?
  • Have we changed all dates on each page?
  • Are headlines spelled correctly?
  • Have cutlines been checked?

 

Revision

There are only two types of writers: Good writers and quitters

Step 1:
  1. Read your paper out loud. Highlight any places where you stumble.
  2. Listen for repeated words (don't repeat special words)
  3. Rewrite sentences that are highlighted.

Step 2:

  1. Look for summarized or implied dialogue
  2. Rewrite using the actual exchanges said during the scene (hear the voice rather than summarize it)

Step 3:

  1. Circle all the -ly words adverbs
  2. select a better verb unless it's a contradiction ("whispered loudly")

Step 4:

  1. Underline all the verb phrases twice
  2. List verbs on separate sheet of paper
  3. Look for "be" verbs ("be + -ing" means it is in the wrong tense.  Switch it to simple past, present, or future)
  4. Rewrite weak verbs (-ion nouns can be converted into verbs.  For example, "The saturation of water was in the ground." could become "The water saturated the ground."
  5. Write a new list of verbs (They should be stronger now.)

Step 5:

Spell check and grammar check with word readability

  • Press "Spell Check"on your article
  • Press "options" at the bottom
  • Press "Setting" next to "writing style"
  • Scroll down and under "Style:" you can add many options such as "cliches", etc.
  • After you have selected all of your options press "ok"
  • Before you exit also check "Show readability statistics" and then after your spell check finished you will receive a report
    • (Your "Flesch Reading Ease" should be near 100)
 Additional tips:
"said" says it best

 

 Style Guide

Read your work and make sure it is clean.
Look for:
  • Typographical errors
  • Spelling (especially names)
  • Capitalization
  • Punctuation (especially apostrophes for contractions)
  • Spacing
Common Errors:
"Its" is the possessive form of "it".  "It's" is the contraction of "it is".
"A lot" is two words.
to = toward
too = also or in excess of
two = the number
their = plural pronoun
they're = contraction of a pronoun and a verb (they are)
there = refers to a place 

DO
  • Sources -- Every paragraph should have a source cited by the writer.  
  • Active Voice -- use active active verbs, descriptive nouns.  
  • Tense -- write in the past or future tense (unless it is something happening "today" (date of publication) then you can use present).
  • Third Person -- write in 3rd person.  
  • Abbreviations -- write out abbreviations such as FBLA the first time and then abbreviate from then on.
  • Names -- write out first and last name of a person the first time.  Then only use last name.  This included teachers.  Use first and last.
  • Titles -- mention any name qualification, such as club president, principal, teacher, etc.
  • set off titles by apostrophes after names.
  • Time -- use a.m. or p.m. for time rather than ":00".  Use noon or midnight instead of 12 p.m. and 12 a.m.
  • Dates -- always abbreviate the month when used with a date such as Nov. 19.  When using only a month such as "in November" spell it out.  
  • Numbers -- write out numbers up to ten except scores, money and percentages.  Write out first, second, third, etc.  
  • Capitalization -- specific organizations are capitalized.  Headlines have the first word and proper nouns capitalized.
  • Use "said" for quotes, it works best.  

 

DON'T/AVOID
  • begin with words such as A, An, or The. 
  • Leads -- don't use quote leads.  
  • Adjectives and adverbs -- especially, avoid adverbs ending in "-ly".
  • First & Second Person -- avoid using "I, we, us" unless it is a column. Don't use "you"
  • Titles -- don't use "Mr., Mrs., Miss" in front of teachers names.  don't capitalize titles if generic or after the name.  
  • Date -- don't abbreviate April, May, June, July
  • Number -- don't start a sentence or a headline with a numeral.
  • Capitalization -- names of classes are not capitalized unless include a proper noun such as (American history, French class, or English class).  Non-specific nouns are not capitalized.  Don't capitalize freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior unless they begin a sentence.
  • Paragraphs -- Don't start two paragraphs in a row with the same word
  • Quotes  -- if you continue quotes into a second paragraph do not put end quotes after the first paragraph. 

 

Writing Cutlines
  • Cutlines should complete the visual image begun by the photograph.
  • Most cutlines are two or more sentences and include all the five Ws and the H, along with information that in ot available form the photograph.
  • Don't state the obvious, such as "pictured are," or "from left to right."
  • Interview the subjects when possible to find out exactly what is happening.
  • Be specific.
  • Name left to right, first row, then second, third, etc.  Name all faces present, first and last name.  (Even opposing sports teams.)
  • Cutlines are usually present tense.  
  • Avoid "ing"
  • Refer to all does and don'ts above.  
  • Capitalize every letter in the first three words. 
Headlines
  • Always write in present or future tense
  • Include subject, verb, and usually an object.  
  • Fit to the space it will occupy
  • Quotes are always single in headlines not double 'NOT DOUBLE'
  • Avoid using "to be" verbs and generic or general nouns

 

 
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