What Do Editors Write?

Extract

[...] What Do Editors Write? One of the most important skills employers seek in potential employees is strong communication skill in both oral and written communication. Being able to write well gives an individual a slight edge over other applicants in any profession. In the newspaper industry, writing well is one of the main focuses of any applicant's abilities. Writing well is also critical for various reasons besides the obvious function of relaying news and information to readers. Writing well and accurately is also essential to keeping the reader interested in the articles, building a trusting relationship between the newspaper and its readers, and maintaining the reputation of the writer, the newspaper, and the industry in general. [...]

[...] To prevent inaccuracies in the newspaper, reporters and editors follow up information to check its relevance and accuracy. Mr. Morris states that reporters and editors at The Decatur Daily ask individuals to spell their names back to them to prevent misspellings and call phone numbers they are given to make sure they are correct. When complicated issues arise, they often ask experts to re-explain the issue to insure the reporter or editor has a clear understanding of the issue. Finally, they consult other sources via the Internet and other public records to insure they are providing accurate information in their column. [...]