What I Look For
Centralizing my focus while editing to several key components improved my effectiveness as an editor. It helps me garner valid reasoning for edits, which helps the staff truly understand why the corrections were needed. In turn, it also helps improve my writing, making me look for these same mistakes and avoid the errors.
Here is an outline of some of the elements I search for when editing.
Strong Structure
Without a strong structure, it’s hard to properly build ideas and connections in writing. Ensuring that the narrative a staffer is trying to create comes across to the reader starts with the way information is presented. When I first start editing, I’ll look at the topic sentences of each paragraph to prompt what kind of impact it makes on a reader at first glance. Then, I will read a story all the way through to examine its flow. A majority of my edits consist of how the writer can improve their fluidity and arrange the story chronologically.
Clear Angle
Maintaining a clear angle is arguably one of the most important components in journalistic writing. It can convey the same story in various different perspectives and also bring a sense of uniqueness to a viewpoint. I make sure to ask each staffer what their intended angle is when we present story ideas to the class so we can refine them before it’s time to write. However, sometimes an angle can be lost in the writing process. I often offer suggestions on how they can reiterate the angle and improve or assert their angle.
Sophisticated Style
Displaying a sophisticated style throughout an entire piece of writing has truly elevated my writing. Doing this through word choice, devices and techniques make the reader think and impacts them more. In the editing process, I point out repetition of words, phrases, starts of sentences, types of sentences and more to help a staffer diversify their vocabulary and choices. I also like to add input on where they can hit harder on their writing and offer suggestions.