Thomas Koetting
Assistant Managing Editor / Projects and
tkoetting@journalsentinel.com
Editing the
Project or Series
Knight Summer
Institute for Midcareer Copy Editors
July 2004
Two broad areas of interest:
I. Your role as copy editor (Before copy arrives)
II. Your mindset as copy editor (After copy arrives)
I. ROLE
Beginning of project: The “launch meeting”
Evolution of project
Home stretch
II. MINDSET
Approach to project
Good writing is good organization
·
Blocks in right order?
Look for vulnerable points
·
Names
·
Numbers / always show in relationship
·
Graphic / Chart / Map / Story – match
·
Ledes (no nut, too long, clearing throat)
·
Endings (no need for bow and ribbon, one last
point, ending that raises questions)
·
Absent photos
·
Be prepared to hit brakes – advocate for reader
/ don’t get swept up in excitement
Tighten, polish
·
Get all done, take 5% out
·
Trim widows (whether you need to or not, because
the tightening will help)
Invite participation
·
Headline writing
·
Graphics / Photos
·
Trims
·
But ultimately force a divorce so you can do
your work
10 keys to
success for copy editing projects
·
Brought into the process early / part of the team
·
Involved in shaping effort (charts, graphs, reporting)
·
·
Given enough time to edit once material arrives
·
Welcomes collaboration in editing – to a point
·
Able to apply organizational thinking
·
Focused on large themes, especially in multi-day series
·
Able to act as mediator between practical / philosophical
·
Always advocating on behalf of reader
·
Polish, polish, polish