Page:Newspaper writing and editing.djvu/74

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number of words to be sent in covering the events designated. All matter should be telegraphed unless "by mail" is specified in an order.

Advance copies of speeches and addresses of public men, and important platforms and resolutions of assemblies and conventions, whenever possible should be secured in advance and mailed to the general office to be held until released. All advance matter is to be sent "subject to release." The time of release of advance matter should be stated instead of the edition for which the matter is released.

Accuracy, speed, and brevity are what we desire.

The correspondent should be fair toward all interests.

Do not send matter of merely local interest. Any matter sent must be of general or exceptional state interest.


SUGGESTIONS


1. Always have at hand several soft black pencils.

2. Take notes on folded copy paper rather than in a notebook.

3. Keep a pocket date-book for all future events and news possibilities.

4. Get all the news; don't stop with half of it.

5. Run down every clue whenever the character of the news warrants it.

6. Work rapidly; don't putter.

7. Don't make the necessity for speed an excuse for carelessness or inaccuracy.

8. Be especially careful about names, initials, and addresses.

9. Don't take rumors for facts.

10. Persevere until you get what you were sent for; don't come back empty-handed.

11. Be resourceful in devising ways and means of getting news.

12. Study your paper to see to what kind of news it gives greatest space and prominence.

13. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the whole city, and especially with every place on your own run.