The Complete Editor

Filled with abundant exercises, The Complete Editor provides readers with many resources actively learn about copyediting, headline writing, decision-making, relationships with writers, graphic presentations, photo editing and layout and design. It also contains a separate chapter on legal principles that an editor needs to understand. This efficient and well-written text gives readers basic information about the essential topics at hand.

James G. Stovall, University of Tennessee - Knoxville Edward Mullins, University of Alabama

Preface. 1. The Job of the Editor. The Job of the Editor. Tools of the Editor. The Making of News. Beginning the Editing Process. Modern Challenges. 2. Tools of the Editor. Grammar. Punctuation. Spelling. Dealing with Words. Common Writing Errors. Keepers of the Language. 3. Style and the Stylebook. Wire Service Stylebooks. Journalistic Conventions. Language Sensitivity. Attention to Detail. 4. Accuracy, Clarity and Brevity. Accuracy. What to Check. References. Clarity. Brevity. Types of Writing. Four Characteristics of Media Writing. 5. The Complete Editor. Editor-Writer Relationship. Responsibilities of the Editor. Honesty and Fairness. Skepticism. Acting Ethically. The Five Commandments. Making Decisions. 6. Headlines and Summaries. The Job of the Headline. Types of Headlines. Principles of Headline Writing. Guidelines. Summaries. Conclusion. 7. Pictures. The Photo Editor. Selection. Cropping. Digital Photography. Pictures on the Web. Ethics and Taste. Cutlines. 8. Infographics. The Graphics Revolution. Defining Graphics Journalism. Type-based Graphics. Chart-based Graphics. Illustration-based Graphics. Developing Infographics. Conclusion. 9. Design and Layout. Visual Logic. Tools of Design. Newspaper Design. Types of Newspaper Design. Principles of Layout. Twelve Rules. News Judgments. Magazine Design. Web Design. Conclusion. 10. The Editor and the Law. The Legal System. The First Amendment. Libel. Defenses Against Libel. Constitutional Defenses. Privacy. Defenses Against Invasion of Privacy Charges. Newsgathering. Constant Vigilance. Appendix A: Copyediting Marks. Appendix B: Diagnostic Test. Appendix C: Creating Charts in Excel.