Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1889-05-09
Writing for the Paper.
/ FEW SHORT AND SIMPLE TRUTH

There are not a few scholars fitted for
even the chair of rhetoric. who are sadly
uniformed in the matter of writing for a
newspaper. Possibly they could write
book, but their communications must re-
celve lit ile-often good deal--of doc
toring" before they are put in the hands of
periodical compositor. OF course the
grammar will usuaily-by no means uni
formly-he satisfactory
What they err in pertains mainly to the
mechanical makeup of the manuscript
We note few particulars where long
experience has discovered amazing defects
|. Authorizations are an abomination.
No one who really knows 'how to write
for the parer" ever gives Pres" for Pres
ident or ~. Pres" for Vice President. or
Thurs" for Thursday. Certain abbre-
vations are established and printed as
Mr.. Hon. Mass Esq, >" for exam
pies But when il is expected that the
compositor will put in every letter Of a
word, those who know "how to write for
the paper" will write out every word
In editorial Offices where the incumbent
feels at liberty to he autocratic. the sight
of All abbreviatinn is the occasion of in
stant doom More humble. We usually
fight down veNation and fix the manu-
script.
,. 1t seems a small thing to complain
of the writing on little bits of paper Mar
riage notices often come on slips less than
the size of ones hand These we must
stick 10 bigger sheet, else the danger Of
their blowing away is imminent Nothing
should be put on sheet of less size then
note paper We are alwav, glad when the
size j. that of a letter sheet. OF course
we make no complaint OF postal cards
3. Paragraphing is largely arbitrary. II
ought 10 have regard to the physical ap-
pearauce. Some of the English nexSpa-
perS will have Il whole column without a
break. OF course the paragraph shnuld
be made where the sense requires it: and
al>o-proyidcd the sense is not disturbed
with view to the mechanical appearance
But our special point is that ono who
knows how to write for the paper" will
himself indicate-and di~tinctly-w here
the paragraph il to begin We should say
that the frequent failure to do this is stu
pid, but for the fact that intelligent pco-
pie are often thus negligent
I. In most ewspnpcr offices manu-
script Is often given in parts to different
compositors. Therefore but one ~idc Of the
sheet should BE- written upon
). In tins age paper j. cheap. We hate
and with the first line - near the top that
the editor. guessing what the proper title
j.. must get a new sheet on which to write
H. BE generous in the use Of paper
4. Sometimes news item. a marriage
notice and business matter will hc crowded
~ on the same sheet Then they must br
rewritten, or else scissors and paste must
be put to use in getting them apart. Every
separate matter should he written on sep
arate sheet
! Fnally-for ministers especially
care should be taken in reference 70 script
nrr citations Absolutely fun half tie
references 10 chapter and verse are erro-
neouS' Further, the quotation Is almost
certain u contain an omission or other
mistake This statement may seem in-
credible But We who know by much OBJ
servation speak BY authority.
"" might extend this inventory of things
which those who write for the papers
need 70 know, and knowing need - prac-
ticc. But FOR thu present let these Seven
particulars suffice.