Preparatory Work by W. S. CHAPMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 8, 1910

Preparatory Work

By W. S. CHAPMAN

Writing for the Press—No. 6

Preparatory Work

W. S. CHAPMAN

News may be defined as anything relating to the happenings of the day or week. The presentation of the facts in print, whether only a few lines, a stickful or two, or several columns in length, has the general name of “story” in newspaper parlance.

All country papers are glad to get local stories. This applies to the State papers also; but the statement of any news item for the little home daily or weekly will differ considerably from its treatment if it is sent to the county paper, and very radically if it should go to the State paper at the capital, unless this sheet is also the county paper.

Then, too, good judgment must be exercised in the selection of the matter suitable to each kind of publication. You must learn to differentiate (choose by selection) between matter handled by the Associated Press, which must not be interfered with, and other legitimate locals worthy of transmission to the metropolitan dailies.

It is in studying the adaptability and importance of these minor news items, and how to treat them, that you will gain the experience which will fit you for handling “special despatches” and “special articles,” the latter including camp-meeting reports, etc.

Your first step should be to call upon the editor of your local paper, whether published in the town where you reside or in another. In a personal interview tell him that you want to begin, in a small way, to gather and handle news items, and then offer him your services. It may be that he already has a reporter, possibly one attached to the office, and may not meet your advances cordially. In such a case send him a local item once in a while when you are certain it is interesting, and has not been known to the reporter. This is styled a “scoop” by editors, and will be appreciated, and sooner or later you will be furnished with paper and envelopes and told to “go ahead.” As a rule, however, editors will accept your services, treating your offers with courtesy.

Next write to both the county and

State papers. If there are several, make selections, and continue to write until you have permission from one of each. Do not attempt to write for two county or two State papers at the same time. Be known as the correspondent of one or the other.

Offer your services as resident correspondent. Ask the publishers to place your name on the free list, and to furnish you with lists of their subscribers in your neighborhood. Give these names special attention, and in case anything interesting occurs in which they figure, give such items a slight special prominence.

After you have gained some experience in local work, and find that your stories are used without much alteration, venture on enlarging your field of operations. Select one or more papers from among the great dailies of New York or Chicago, or some other large city, and write for permission to send “queries” in case anything of unusual general interest or importance occurs in your neighborhood which the Associated Press despatches would not cover. Ask if you will be allowed to send despatches on “space rates.” Should one paper decline, or have a local correspondent, try another until you have at least two big dailies on your list.

As soon as you have established yourself as corresponding reporter, obtain copies of all the papers you intend to work for, and study carefully their “style;” i. e., the way their departments are arranged; how they classify their news; how each story is arranged, particularly the office system in regard to the use of the various fonts of type; the manner of using, and the place for, the dates; how letters to the editor are addressed; when, where, and how they use “subheads,” or additional headings separating the running matter in the columns; etc.

As a rule, it will be best to leave the insertion of subheads to the editor. Sometimes space can not be spared for their insertion, or the matter may not be considered of sufficient importance to warrant their use; but when a correspondent shows aptness at forming “catchy” subheads, most editors will be glad to have his suggestions.

Each newspaper has a “style” in forming its “display heads.” On most papers these are confined to the first and last pages, but often, on large dailies, they are seen on every page. When you think you have sufficient ability, it will do no harm to venture placing a display head, occasionally, on any item you obtain and send in by mail, particularly if it is of unusual importance or general interest, or comes in as a “scoop” on other reporters.

Be certain, however, that you understand the style of the paper and the style of heading used for each class of news. A study of the great dailies will show that the character of display is carefully graded: (1) as to its general importance; (2) as to whom it will be of the most interest; and (3) as to its timeliness.

A display head might to-day be given to an item which to-morrow might be assigned to the regular reading-matter columns. It is best, in sending in special articles, to leave the upper half of the first page blank, so that the editor can write in such a heading as he may decide upon.

No class of news story requires more care in its composition than does the special despatch. The pith of the story, the germ, must go into the first paragraph. This is imperative. Follow with the most essential details, then with the minor points. The matter must be so written that it can be cut to suit “space,” or the chances will be that your special will go into the waste-basket. Therefore do not attempt the writing of special despatches, or the telegraphing of them, until you have gained a correct style; but do not think I am presenting something too difficult for you to undertake. You can become proficient by practise on minor matter. It is a mere question of application and time. God may some day have a message to the world that he would be pleased to send through your effort; therefore persevere.

Experience will bring to you the ability properly to gage the value of news items, to decide where they should be sent, and in what form. This knowledge, once acquired, will usually bring success.

To such a workman, who has studied to show himself approved, God may occasionally intrust gems of truth for publication, which, appearing in print, the angels may use to carry conviction to souls seeking for light.