The Importance of Being Correct
"Students showed up to school in neon bodysuits, flared jeans, and polka dots to represent the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Freshmen danced to ‘50s tunes, sophomores to ‘60s jazz, juniors to ‘70s disco, and seniors to ‘80s dance music."
"Students showed up to school in neon bodysuits, flared jeans, and polka dots to represent the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Freshmen danced to ‘50s tunes, sophomores to ‘60s jazz, juniors to ‘70s disco, and seniors to ‘80s dance music."
-Yelaine Aguilar, Former Web Staffer on The Muse
Spirit Week is the most important time for coverage at Dreyfoos. My editor instructed me to create a document with common mistakes and how to fix them. For example, staffers often incorrectly format decades for "Generations Day" articles. Staffers would write "50's" or "1990's" and other variations that are incorrect. In the photo to the left, the document explains what to do for the staffers to reference. Creating that resource allowed us to troubleshoot issues before they arose to prevent roadblocks in the editing process during busy live coverage weeks such as Spirit Week.
In newsmagazine format, there is no option to rewind or replay what was said. Readers do not stop and ponder the meaning of a sentence past their first read. It is important for them to understand what the writer means the first time around.
Keeping it short and sweet for our readers is a big part of working on a publication, and as a copy staffer, it is important that I help the writers keep sentences brief and clear at the same time.
The structure of a publication allows people to create a final product together. Each section has a role, and staffers within those sections have roles. After working in one position, I decided to try working in a different one.
Editors have a responsibility to support and teach their staffers.
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