Careful editing and consistent coaching: bringing credibility to YOU AND your news productNCSMA SUMMER WORKSHOP 2015Colin Donohue, Elon University

5-Minute Sprint

On a blank piece of paper, respond to the following prompt as quickly as you can without stopping to think, correct or edit. I want to write about …

Math for Journalists

Remember this equation: A+B+C+D=Q Let’s focus on the ‘A’ primarily today

(with a little ‘C’ mixed in)

Accuracy

Here’s one simple requirement I present to my students: Spell names correctly and don’t insert factual errors into stories.

Easy enough. But what happens when mistakes happen?

The penalty is stiff.

Inaccuracy

Here’s what my syllabus says: “Accuracy and truth are the core principles

of all journalists. Factual errors and misspelled names in your articles will cost you 50 points, forcing an automatic failure. Triple check all factual claims and names in your stories before you turn them in. As the old journalism standard goes, ‘If your mother says she loves you, check it out.’”

Types of Errors

Errors of FACT (e.g., misspelled or wrong names, wrong phone numbers, wrong web addresses, wrong ages or dates) “Of the 10 men and women who were

interviewed, five favored the proposal, three opposed it and three said they had not reached a decision.”

Types of Errors

Errors of GRAMMAR (e.g., subject/verb disagreement, dangling modifiers, personification) “Pleased with everyone’s papers, the class

received congratulations.” “Someone left their hat on the table.”

Types of Errors

Errors of STYLE (e.g., lack of parallel structure, internal inconsistency) “She enjoys writing, researching and

reading her published work is great fun, too.”

Trust Yourself

An editor once told Mark Twain never to state as fact anything he could not personally verify. Twain wrote in a story: “A woman giving the name of Mrs. James

Jones, who is reported to be one of the society leaders of the city, is said to have given what purported to be a party yesterday to a number of alleged ladies. The hostess claims to be the wife of a reputed attorney.”

UNFORTUNATE/CARELESS/CRAZY/FUNNY ERRORS

LEARN TO BE MISTAKE FREE

D’oh!

Pendulum’s New Motto

The Pendulum: News so nice, they print it twice

Read Three Times (at least)

First read: Leave the text alone (respectful and practical)

Second read: Look for and fix faults in grammar and style

Third read: Consider structure and flow

Consult

But always remember: When you’re editing the work of others, you’re editing others’ work.

Talk to the reporter. Be gracious. Be constructive.

Start by listening. Then, ask questions to draw out

roadblocks/information. Advise when asked. Focus first on what works.

Leading Creative People

Tips for managing creative people: Extract ideas, don’t dictate them Coach ideas more than you coach

execution Be the reader advocate Understand “red tie” issues and don’t get

hung up on them Make feedback clear and consistent

Tracy Collins, deputy managing editor, The Arizona Republic

Constructive Criticism

Criticism, even when delivered constructively, can sometimes be difficult to appreciate and internalize. Some tips: Be prepared: Familiarize yourself with the

content and the situation. Choose a time and place: Scheduling matters. Show restraint: Don’t overstate your

dissatisfaction and avoid generalizations about the work. (Be careful about using words, such as “awful” or “disgraceful.”)

Stay focused.

Constructive Criticism

Acknowledge that it’s a subjective process: Use phrases like “It’s my feeling” or “It’s my impression.”

Get the other person involved: Make it conversation, not a “dressing down.”

Set reasonable goals for change and get a commitment: Criticism sessions should end with some shared agreement on what needs to be done in the future.

Hendrie Weisinger, Ph.D.

In the meantime …

Motivate your staff: Catch people doing things right. Convince people they’ll do their best work

here. Treat people as vitally important. Make time for face-to-face management

(Management by Walking Around). Communicate with your staff:

Practice candor. Set clear, simple goals for you and your staff.

In the meantime …

Manage your staff: Don’t deliver criticism by email. Hold people accountable.

Manage yourself: Don’t hold grudges. Be skeptical, not cynical.

In the meantime …

Be a leader: Remember your moods are contagious. Apply energy to the newsroom. Learn from your colleagues. Live the values you preach.

“Best Practices: The Art of Leadership in News Organizations”

5-Minute Sprint

How did you respond? How might you use this with your

writers/reporters? Other exercises:

Observation Postcard Write a 10-minute first draft

http://mindworkscoaching.com/coaching/journal-community/resources-for-writers/writing-exercises/

Sources

You can access this PowerPoint and all the materials I sourced today (and more) by going to http://www.cdonohue.com/ncsma_coaching.

Or email me at colindonohuepresentation@gmail.com for an auto reply with the link.

cmdonohue@gmail.com @cmdonohue