How to Edit a Newspaper Article

Editing a newspaper article requires a keen eye for detail.

Editing a newspaper article is a very important job that requires a keen eye for detail and a strong command of how words and phrases should be properly used. Among the things to look for when editing a newspaper article is correct usage of grammar, proper spelling and ensuring that the sentences and paragraphs flow well, and aren't disjointed or confusing to the reader. Anyone editing an article should also be mindful of possible factual errors. Editing entails fast and accurate fact checking.

Instructions

1. Run the article through a spell check program, if possible, to check the article for spelling errors. If there's no spell check available, use a dictionary to look up questionable words. Incorrect spellings can occur in all types of words, from ones with tricky spellings, like daiquiri, to simple ones like cemetery. Even small conjunctions like 'and' and 'but' can occasionally be misspelled if the writer is rushing or doesn't proofread his work. A general rule of thumb is, if the word doesn't look right, look it up.

2. Read through the story for grammatical mistakes. Grammatical errors, no matter how slight, can undermine a story's credibility and distract from the overall message a story is trying to convey. When reading the story, make sure there's no word confusion, such as improper usage of common terms like 'their,' 'they're,' 'affect,' 'effect,' 'your' and 'you're,' for example. Pay particular attention to words with apostrophes.

3. Look for syntax errors in the story. Run-on sentences, sentence fragments and other types of bad sentence structure can not only confuse readers, but potentially give a false or misleading impression in the article. If a sentence is confusing enough that it must be read multiple times before it begins to make sense, it should be edited for brevity and clarity, preferably with the reporter's input, if he's available.

4. Check the article for factual errors. If anything in an article jumps out as being odd or unlikely, verify the facts with the reporter. Occasionally, reporters can make mistakes, such as getting names or dates wrong, or transposing digits within a number. Although some factual errors are minor, they can't be allowed to slip through the editing process, since a newspaper's popularity depends in part on its ability to get the story right.

Tips & Warnings

• News stories should generally be edited lightly. Try not to rewrite the entire article simply because it is not how you would've done it. Let writers and reporters express their individuality through their writing.

• It may not be a bad idea to have another editor look over the story as well just in case if your eyes missed something.

• Don't be afraid to ask for a rewrite. If a story is written so poorly that it is beyond repair, send it back to the reporter and ask them to try again. It should not appear in print if it does not meet the publication's standards.

References

• yourdictionary.com: Commonly Misspelled Words
• Publisher's Round-Up: Common Errors in English Usage
• Frankfurt International School: Syntax - English Sentence Structure