The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-03-30
RULES 4: ::::. :: ::
COUNTRY CORRESPONDENTS

WIN ASAANA -
the news from over the parish. Cores
pondents, of course, should be encour-
aged, for not all of us are experienced
in reporting, and there is with some
certain amount Of timidy to be overcome.
Probably if all editors would compile
set of rules for the guidance of con-
tributors, and especially for those of but
little experience, better results would
follow. 1t is what the editor believes,
anyway, and if you are not of the same
opinionion it is because you have never
published a newspaper. The following
cover fairly well the questions that will
suggest themselves when writing. We
do not claim originality for all of them;
many were borrowed from the Macomb
GILL By-Stander. However, what holds
good in one community is often good for
another, so without further apology we
proceed with the rules:
Strive always for accuracy and scorn
fake.
Give all the real news that will look
well in print.
Keep your personal likes and dislikes
out of your copy.
Do not s'roast" any one. Be fair and
impartial with all.
Get your letters mailed to reach the
Office at the time requested.
Do not write thing that must be read
twice before it can be understood.
Use short sentences and the simplest
words that will express your meaning.
Do not write "John Doe and wife,"
but instead "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe.''
Anything that is of general interest
in the community from which you write
is news.
All news is not of the same relative
Importance and should be given space
accordingly.
A good news item is frequently spoiled
by the omission of particulars and de-
tails; tell it all.
Do not write "Rev. Smith," cdr.
Jones" or "Mrs. Brown" but "Rev.
Lee Smith, - CDR. J. c. Jones" or " Mrs.
Dorothy Brown
Write plainly, especially schen giving
names. Punctuate so as to express the
meaning intended.
Cram as much meaning as possible
into the fewest words that will make it
clear to the reader.
The high points in news article, long
or short, are usually these: What or
who, when, where and how.
Facts, not words, are wanted. People
read newspapers not to pass away time,
but to learn what is going on.
Write across the short way of the
paper, not across the long way, and on
but one side. 1t is handler for the
printer.
Do not crowd your writing. Paper is
cheap. Do not use hard lead pencil.
Dimly written copy is an abomination to
printers.
/ Read the letter over after writing it.
You are almost sure to find some word
you would like to change or some error
that has crept in.
Do not mention the state when speak
ing OF a town, unless it is town in a
state other than where the newspaper
for which you are writing is published
State the day things happened. Dc
not write ''to-day," yesterday" or ito
morrow" Readers cannot know what
day you write and will not know what
time you refer to.
Do not crack jokes which only few
of your intimate friends can understand
News with hidden or double meaning
should never be used.
Birthday parties, wedding anniversa-
ries and social gatherings generally arr
always worth more or less space, accord
ing to their Importance.
Do not abbreyiate. Make your copy
just as you wish it to be printed. If yor
write emo" for Monday the printer
may think you mean Missouri.
An account of phenomenal crops o.
stock and notable sales of either, The
sales of property and the erection of new
buildings are always good and too otter
overlooked.
Instead of writing Mr. John Roe, O.
Kilkinney, is visiting his parents" say
"Mr. John Roe, of Kilkinney, is visiting
: his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. J. M. Roe
Others may not know the Roe family a.
well as you do.
i The publication Of lists of presents a
weddings and anniversaries is not con.
sid&ed good taste. The fact that pres.
ents were received and that they were
useful, numerous or costly may b