Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-11-11
astis eellatlfons Rsaaias.
THE "cUR REPORTER"
Valuable. Advice from Veteran for
BUDDING Journalists.

Valuable Advice from a Veteran for
Budding Journalists.
The general reader can skip this II
he wants to; but we are sure he
doesn't want to, for the general reader
is generally interested in anything that
concerns newspapers. 1t Is not in
tended to be didatic at all-only to
mention some considerations that per-
tain to reporting for a newspaper.
Il. In reporting an incident or hap
pening, don't say, We understand
or I'VE have been informed" That
kind of expression weakens the conf
dence Of the public in the accuracy and
infallibility of a newspaper, and the
reader will infer that If 1t Is not sure
on one thing it is not sure on any. Get
the best information possible, and then
write your report. In questions OF
opinion it does not matter much what
the newspaper says, for the reader has
his own opinion anyway; but he looks
to the newspaper for the facts. That
Is why the reporter ought to be a
smarter man than the editor-and
ought to know more; and he usually
is-and does. .... H..
2. Don't exhort. The editor ought
mt to either, but he does. In fact, the
editor is a sort Of Wild Arab anyhow
and not subject to many. rules. No
body ought to be permitted to exhort
in a newspaper except the advertiser
at so much an inch or line. So, If
the good women Of the Missionary So
ciety send in a piece Of local news
about their forthcoming church festi-
val and wind up by saying, Come out
and have a good time and get some
thing good to eat" strike that part
out. 's..'
8. A reporter has no right to use
the word "we"; that is the sole pre-
rogative Of the editor. Sometimes cor
respondents adopt the "weS" and we
have known a correspondent to speak
Of "our opinion" and "our wife" A
correspondent ought not to have any
opinion, and his wife ought to be my
wife," or, better still, Mrs. So and
So."
4. Don't use the second person in
writing; nor the first, unless 1t Is in a
signed article-and reporter ought
never to have any use for the -" +"
though he has use for his eyes all the
time, and his ears, too.
S. If some kind person gives you
piece of news, don't say, Il knew
that" Take it down carefully as II
you had never heard it, and the person
will think he has done you a service,
and will do you another some other
time, when you may happen not to
know so much.
6. Be perfectly fair and impartial
Have no enemies" And have no
friends" who can use you to further
their schemes.
Z. Be economical in the use Of ad-
jectives, especially the adjective
splendid" This is the reporters ia
vorite; he uses 1t until 1t loses its
meaning entirely. There are very few
things in the world that are really
splendid.
8. Don't mention women's dresses
unless to compliment them.
8. In reporting the proceedings Of a
woman's club don't ever say "the old
officers were reelected" There are
no "old" persons in woman's club.
10. Be dignified in your writing, but
don't be too serious. There are many
occasions where a reporter may adopt
a lighter vein. But never make sport
Of sacred things. You may cause the
unregenerate and the fiippant to smile;
but. as Robert Burns says.
IAN atheists laughs a poor exchange
for Diety offended" ..
IL. Magnify your position. 1t is the
most important one on a newspaper.
A good reporter is much rarer than a
good editor.
IL. Don't attempt to write up" a
wedding II you don't know now; ana
the chances are sss to 1000 that you
don't. No man reporter knows how.
So, If the family do not look after that
part Of the programme, and you are
particularly anxious to get a report Of
it, get some woman to do it for you,
even If you have to pay her a portion
Of your hard earned wages.
13. Cut out the Hon" 1t is too in
definite and too hard to draw the line
and is liable at times to become ridic-
ulous Hold on to Colonel" and
prominent citizen; they are good old
standbys that don't mean much, but
are mighty CONVENIENTLY. H. Wal
lace in Newberry Observer.