Journalism advice

Be sure to check out this link on tips for editing because it also helps reporters:

http://www.edbond.com/editing/grafs.html

Finding your lede

Look for the smallest element of the story that sums up what the essence of the story is.

Fewer words are better.

Run it through the “Why do I care?” filter.

Tell it to me the way you’d tell your mother.

Read your work aloud.

Layers of sources

Have a diversity of sources, not just on both sides of the story, but different levels of expertise. You should have at least three sources in a story, but some stories demand more sources. For example, an event with a large crowd, a public disaster, a complex, multilayered issue.

Layers of reporting

Surface reporting – source originated reporting

Second-level reporting – spontaneous events/ reportorial enterprise

In-depth reporting/investigative – interpretive and explanation.

Opinion vs. fact

Always attribute anything in a news story that is a matter of opinion

or a challengeable fact. Examples of what needed attribution:

… this is cause for celebration for many college students …

… has always looked for the best …

… are incredibly excited …

… anxiously awaiting …

…This is not only a logistical nightmare …

… making it appealing to local businesses[SC1] …

… it is more risky than ever to open a restaurant …

Advertisements find ways to tell the reader that something is beneficial.

Challenge anything dealing with something being called the best, the worst, etc.

But I can’t challenge this lede:

As It haca’s annual Apple Harvest Festival approaches this Friday, the deadline for construction on the 300 block of East State Street is still unclear, leaving businesses and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance confused and frustrated.

Word choices

Hopefully One of the most commonly misused words, in spite of what the dictionary may say. Hopefully should describe the way the subject feels. For instance:

"Hopefully, I shall present the plan to the president." (This means I will be hopeful when I do it) But it is something else again when you attribute hope to a non-person.

You may write: "Hopefully, the war will end soon." You mean you hope the war will end soon, but it is not what you are writing. Write "I hope the war will end soon."

See this link on common writing errors: http://www.edbond.com/editing/errors.html

she feels that, believes, thinks

… he believes ththat most of the changes have been for the better. …

… it’s apparent that …

located, currently

states vs. said

attribution:

“I adopted a cat,” he said.

“We need more people to adopt cats,” said Sherry Berger, associate vice president of the Tompkins County SPCA.

Unanswered questions

… one of many … one of a few …