The Newspaper Reporter by W. S. CHAPMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 25, 1910

The Newspaper Reporter

By W. S. CHAPMAN

Writing for the Press—No. 4

The Newspaper Reporter

W. S. CHAPMAN

The measure of one's success in any undertaking depends in a great degree upon the depth of his desire to master the details and the fundamental principles connected with that undertaking. If, for instance, one decides to become a hydropathic physician, he not only seeks an education in one of the regular colleges, but also wisely supplements its training with a course of study and practise in a hydropathic sanitarium.

So of any other calling—a practical knowledge of all its rudimentary branches aids in its mastery. Knowledge is power, and the would-be press writer should seek to know not only how to write an acceptable article, but also to understand the other forms of press contributions and the minutiae connected with the operating of a newspaper office. Such a broad fund of practical knowledge, which may be easily obtained, will save the writer from making countless mistakes, and will enable him to judge correctly of the value of his own work, and to place it, at the proper time, in the hands of the editor to whom it will be most acceptable.

For this reason all would-be press writers who are at liberty to do so, should become local correspondents for one or more papers, thus gaining a practical experience in press writing, while making themselves known and appreciated by the editors within their reach. These, having tested the value of their contributions, will welcome those on present truth, relying mainly on the contributor's tested good judgment for their timeliness and importance.

Instruction will go a long way toward fitting a person for newspaper writing, if that person is adapted to the work; but nothing can take the place of actual experience in writing.

The little country local paper has ever been the training-school for the successful editors of the great metropolitan dailies. Go where you will, you will find that the great money-making papers are edited by men who obtained their training in country printing-offices. So true is this, that it may be said that any editor's education, as an editor, is deficient if he failed to obtain the rudimentary knowledge of his craft in a local newspaper office.

What is worth doing at all is worth doing well. To write well it is necessary to know how and what to write. With this foreknowledge your article is half written before it is begun. Numbers of our people can talk and write well on subjects connected with present truth. This is because of a familiarity with the subject-matter. As a people, we are so well acquainted with our message that we fail to appreciate its exalted character as press news. The theme is so grand, of such an elevated nature, that, when written about, the production, from a press point of view, ranks among the highest of “special” contributions. The writing about it for press use is advanced writing. We can not expect to write well and acceptably to editors on subjects connected with present truth, until we have acquired proficiency in the production of ordinary press contributions.

To become a good local correspondent for your home, your county, and your State papers, insures ultimate success as a general writer. The time spent in the preparation of articles for these papers will be wisely spent. It will not only prepare you for broader work, especially when emergencies arise, and opportunities come for the presentation of principles of truth; but it will be remunerative in many ways, at the same time gaining for you the respect and confidence of the editors with whom you deal,—a matter of great, sometimes of vital importance.

Only a few years ago the local paper was invariably a “weekly.” Its outside news came to it in the form of a “patent,”—one or more sheets prepared by a newspaper “syndicate,” and sent out already printed to country editors, who added a sheet or two of local matter, thus making up their paper. Almost any bright young man could edit and publish such a paper; but this condition is fast changing.

The coming of the rural free delivery, the electric cars, and the telephone, bringing the news and the great daily papers to the farmer's door on the day of publication, has sounded the death-knell of the “country weekly.” Everywhere the “country daily” is taking its place; and in many instances, editors are abandoning all effort to gather outside news, even when furnished by syndicates, and concentrating all their energies in the production of a first-class local paper, containing only local matter. In this field, competition from the city daily is impossible; and right here is the great opportunity for the home reporter. Editors of such papers are, of necessity, versatile and all-round newspaper men. Association with such men is the best possible experience in journalism, and graduation from such a school should produce efficient workmen for the Master's use.

All local papers welcome local news, coming from any and every source. The gathering of such items, their reduction to paper, and their after-treatment by the editor, forms a series of important lessons in newspaper writing not attainable elsewhere. Week by week, as you gather and write out the local news, you will notice improvement in your style of narration, in brevity of expression and description, in rigid culling of superfluous matter, and in better handling of detail. Gradually, if you are attentive and zealous, you will develop into a capable press writer, your field of operations will enlarge, and soon you will be able to handle “special” matter, not only for your local home paper, but also for your county and State, and then for the national press.

How much the cause needs just such competent men and women! Does the

subject appeal to you? You may not reach the topmost round, but there is a place for you where your services will be valuable.

You can find your place and fill it if you will, with God's blessing attending the effort. Believe it, and fit yourself for service.