Side-By-Side Editing
Adding students unfamiliar with journalistic editing to the staff this year, I wanted to make sure as editor-in-chief reporters not only understood the editing process but also formed a healthy relationship with their work being critiqued by peers. Sometimes, that sense of compassion cannot be displayed through a Google Doc comment (no matter how many smiley faces or exclamation marks are used.) So, I decided to start sitting down with staffers for stories I felt would be more productively edited if we were able to talk out reasonings for revisions. I make sure to ask each staffer if they are more comfortable with their story edited online or in person. I feel this way of editing has improved the quality and communication of the publication as a whole.
“Whenever I’m experiencing writer’s block or running out of ideas, I always know to go talk to Haylie as I’m sure that instead of just throwing out ideas, she will talk me through them and help me create new ones. Haylie not only works with the staffers to create the best stories possible, but she also establishes relationships that make it easy for us to go up to her for any questions we have.”
-Lamiya Antaria, First-Year Staff Member
“Through active, side-by-side interaction with staff members, Haylie is able to provide personalized and thorough feedback. Her staff sees her investment in their success through her presence and immediate communication. They are comfortable asking questions and formulating ideas because they know their editor values their effort and is ready to help them achieve their goals while creating a quality product.”
-Mary-Patricia Buss, Bridgeland Student Media Advisor