Editing Wire Service Copy

1
Editing Wire Service Copy

• Wire stories often need to be cut more
  dramatically
• Wire editors often need to combine stories

2
What is railroading

• Answer Running wire stories in paper without
  having edited them

3
Goals to keep in mind when editing wire copy

• Preserve as much copy as possible
• Keep as much of reporters style as possible
• Trimming for space never good excuse for
  introducing error
• Watch out for headless snakes
• No mindless hacking from bottom

4
Combining stories

• Context watch misplacing paragraphs
• Transitions and smoothness (tip call them up
  side by side)

5
Tip

• Wire editors also watch wire for stories of
  interest to reporters, editors on their beats
• Wire editors also watch out for wire stories they
  can add local element to