They look for holes, spelling and grammar errors, Stylebook lapses, connections with other stories, graphic and photographic potential, difficult patches, and structure that does not serve the reader. They read innocently, as a general reader rather than someone who reads the whole paper every day, i.e., not as a news junkie. They worry about their readers familiarity with names in the news, and especially about geographical references. Most newsrooms have a large map of their town in sight, but most readers do not. Their reactions may take one or all of several forms.
Some editors print the copy and mark it up with questions.
Others add electronic notes with queries and send the file back. Some send a list of questions to the reporter without the text. One very effective editor marks what she wants to talk about, and then sits at the reporter s desk and discusses the marked passages. Some editors read the piece aloud and ask reporters what they think needs changing. And some editors use all these techniques because different methods work better with different writers.