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comments

preface

introduction

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isbn:
9781891136092
2004
400 pages
paperback

suggested list price: $75.00
price to college bookstores:
$60.00

 

The Why, Who and How
of the Editorial Page

fourth edition

Kenneth Rystrom
Virginia Polytechnic and State University

CONTENTS (brief)

For a detailed table of contents, please click on this text line.

Preface
Introduction

SECTION I: THE WHY OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

1. The Editorial Page That Used to Be

2. The Editorial Page That Should, and Could, Be

SECTION II: THE WHO OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

3. Anybody for Editorial Writing?

4. Preparation of an Editorial Writer

5. Who Is This Victorian "We"?

6. Relations with Publishers

7. Relations with the Newsroom

8. The Editorial Page Staff

9. Relations with the Community

SECTION III: THE HOW OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

10. Nine Steps to Editorial Writing

11. Eleven Steps to Better Writing

12. Subjects That Are Hard to Write About

13. Subjects That Are Deceptively Easy

14. Subjects That Are Neglected

15. Editorials on Elections

16. Other Types of Opinion Writing

17. Letters to the Editor

18. Columns and Cartoons

19. Innovations in Design and Content

20. The Editorial Page That May, and Must, Be

Endnotes
Bibliography
Index

CONTENTS (detailed)

Preface
Introduction

SECTION I: THE WHY OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

Chapter 1: The Editorial Page That Used to Be

News Mixed with Opinion

The Partisan Press

The Populist Press

The Corporate Editorial Page

Recent Bright and Not-So-Bright Spots

Historical Summary

Chapter 2: The Editorial Page That Should, and Could, Be

A Few Bugle Calls

A More Complex Melody

A Variety of Tunes

Today's Song Writers

The Tune Players

SECTION II: THE WHO OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

Chapter 3: Anybody for Editorial Writing?

The Attractions of Editorial Writing

The Qualifications for Editorial Writing

Who Are These Writers and Editors?

Where Editorial Writers Come From

Chapter 4: Preparation of an Editorial Writer

Undergraduate Education

Continuing Education

Firsthand Experiences

The Editorial Shelf

Culture (Pop and Otherwise)

A Note on Plagiarism

Chapter 5: Who Is This Victorian "We"?

The Case for the Signed Editorial

The Case for the Unsigned Editorial

Editorial Boards

A Compromise-Bylined Articles and Columns

Personal Experiences

Chapter 6: Relations with Publishers

Local Ownership

Group Ownership

Financial Emphasis

The Publisher's Role

Getting along with Publishers

The Case for the Editor

Chapter 7: Relations with the Newsroom

Reporters as Sources

Reporters in the Opinion Process

Editorials in the News Columns

Editorializing about News Policies

Chapter 8: The Editorial Page Staff

What Size Staff?

The One-Person Staff

Division of Duties

Editorial Conferences

Long-Range Planning

The Editorial Writer at Work

Chapter 9: Relations with the Community

To Participate or Not to Participate

To Accept or Not to Accept

Economic Interests

Civic or Public Journalism

Personal Experiences

SECTION III: THE HOW OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

Chapter 10: Nine Steps to Editorial Writing

Selecting a Topic

Determining Purpose and Audience

Deciding the Tone

Researching the Topic

Determining the General Format

Writing the Beginning

Writing the Body of the Editorial

Writing the Conclusion

Chapter 11: Eleven Steps to Better Writing

The Right Amount of Fact

Logical Conclusions

Consistent Point of View

Clear Referents and Antecedents

Sentences of Appropriate Length

Economy of Words

Correct Grammar

Absence of Cliches and Jargon

Proper Use of Individual Words

Colorful Language

Chapter 12: Subjects That Are Hard to Write About

Economics

Legal Issues

International Affairs

Arts and Culture

Medicine and Health

Religion

Sports and Recreation

Touchy Topics

Chapter 13: Subjects That Are Deceptively Easy

Obituaries

Local Pride

Favorite Subject

The "Duty" Piece

Chapter 14: Subjects That Are Neglected

Science

Natural Resources

Media Issues

Lives of People

Humor and Satire

Chapter 15: Editorials on Elections

Why Endorse?

What Effects?

Whose Views?

What Approach?

Chapter 16: Other Types of Opinion Writing

Signed Articles

Local Columns

Reviews

Broadcast Editorials

Chapter 17: Letters to the Editor

Why Letters?

Building a Letters Column

Stimulating Interest

Setting Up the Rules

Libel in Letters

The Letters Editor

Chapter 18: Columns and Cartoons

Development of Column Writing

Columnists Today

Setting Policies for Columns

Local Columnists

The Role of the Cartoonist

Setting Policies for Cartoons

Cartoonists of the Past

Cartoonists of Today

The Power of the Cartoon

Your Own Cartoonist?

Chapter 19: Innovations in Design and Content

The "Gray" Tradition

Bolder, More Flexible

Today's Pages

Encouraging Reader Participation

Encouraging Diversity of Opinion

Making It Easier for Readers

Bringing the Community Aboard

Op-Ed Pages

Chapter 20: The Editorial Page That May, and Must, Be

Endnotes
Bibliography
Index

Copyright © 1983, 1994, 1999, 2004 Kenneth Rystrom.

 

 

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