The article, written by author Faith Baldwin, said in part, "I think it is very unfortunate that many women with real writing ability bury that talent under a pile of dishes." She went on to say, "Actually, writing is an ideal profession for women. You don't have to go to an office and you don't have to be away with half your mind on your household.

Don't say, you don't have the time and don't say you could write if you had the time. There are many times during the day or evening when an hour or two can be found - if you really want to write."

It's a wonderful feeling to communicate with others. If even one paragraph you write opens a door for another human being, makes him or her see with your eyes and understand with your mind what you are trying to say, you'll gain a sense of fulfillment that no other work can provide.

Needless to say, Faith Baldwin didn't have bowling writers in mind when she urged women to take up writing. However, the idea is applicable here and the end result can be just as satisfying - if you provide earned recognition for even one bowler who many not otherwise receive it.

As members of the National Women Bowling Writers, the great majority of you carry the title Publicity Chairman, for your association. But, we all know that many, while holding the title, do very little or no writing during the season. It isn't because you don't want to write, but because you don't know how to go about it.

Through the pages of this Publicity Guide, you will find tips on how to get started, how to interview, what to write about, newsletters, using the tools - including your computer and your camera - and more. We hope this guide will help you get started with your publicity efforts, or improve the skills you now possess.

But, being a writer is more than just saying you're a writer. It means writing, writing and more writing. It means being rebuffed at times. It means disappointment when something you write never sees print. And nothing is lonelier than sitting at a typewriter or computer. Yet, there is no thrill to match seeing your words in print. There is no greater excitement than having a good idea, except for putting it on paper.

Although it is difficult these days to get bowling news in most of the larger newspapers, many media contacts, if given the appropriate information, would consider these and other bowling topics newsworthy:

• Scoring records
• Honor scores (300, 299, 298 and 700/800 three-game series)
• High season average
• League and tournament champions
• All Star teams, Bowler of the Year, etc.
• Hall of Fame inductions/inductees
• Association meetings
• Association special activities
• Association elections
• Profiles of association leaders and members
• National and state association bowling news
• Senior bowlers
• Youth bowlers

And, if you find your writing well running dry, check these ideas for other interesting story opportunities:

• Stories about handicapped bowlers can arouse the attention of readers but handle these stories with special care and tact. Write about them only with their permission.
• Many leagues give unusual awards for various reasons. These could make a great feature story.
• Odd leagues and various scoring systems and unusual rules.
• The oldest bowler in your area. The oldest bowling center. Leagues that have bowled continuously for many years.
• Bowlers come from all walks of life. Find the most unusual occupations and the most unusual leagues.
• What goes on behind the scenes before a league or tournament begins? Trace the preparations necessary. How about what it takes to successfully operate a bowling center.
• New bowling products, including bowling balls, shoes, bowling center equipment and so on.
• Famous people who bowl.
• Charity and other special events. Bowlers have always been charitable and a story about large sums of money donations can catch the eye of those who aren't always impressed by bowling and bowlers.

At times you may be able to gather the facts you need over the telephone or from material found in other publications. Other times, you may find it necessary to interview someone for personal comment and opinion.

Here are a few guidelines you may use to make the interviewing easier and more productive.

• Be assertive, but polite, when requesting interviews.
• Set up and confirm interview times and locations in advance.
• Prepare questions in advance and be sure to include the who, what, where, when and why. You will not use all the material gathered but you can gain a better insight about the person by asking questions about his/her background, family, beliefs, ambitions, etc.
• Research background information on interviewees and relevant topics whenever possible.
• Introduce yourself at the start of each interview and explain that you are the association's publicity chairman. Let the interviewee know what you want to discuss and how the information will be used.
• Help interviewees feel comfortable and at ease.
• Conduct interviews in quiet locations, if possible. Avoid areas where noise and people may be distracting.
• Ask permission before using tape recorders. Bring extra tapes and batteries. Take notes as a backup.
• Ask open-ended questions that require more than "yes" and "no" answers.
• Develop a line of questioning that will keep the person on track.
• If replies are vague, follow up with additional questions until you are satisfied.
• Ask for clarification or examples when needed.
• Don't argue or debate the person you are interviewing. You can probe without being caustic. You can be personal without being nosy.
• Be aware that your own attitudes and prejudices may tend to alter or possibly distort what you hear.
• Make sure you really listen to the answer after you ask a question. Be a good listener.
• Be selective, but don't let your own preconceived ideas limit your quest.
• Read your subject's body language - shrugs, smiles, facial and body positions often speak volumes.
• Ask the interviewee to spell unfamiliar names. When in doubt, double-check spellings with other people or look in the telephone book.
• Ask follow-up questions to obtain more detailed information on interesting points.
• Repeat unclear statements to confirm for accuracy.
• If you use quotes, make sure you quote accurately. Do not take remarks out of context. This can distort the meaning.
• Secure the interviewee's telephone number and ask if you may call later if you have questions.
• Thank the interviewee for his/her time and assistance.
• Go home and type your notes while they're still fresh.

As envisioned, the news story takes the form of an inverted triangle. Divided into three sections, the first section should contain the five "W's" - WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY. These are the backbone of any published article. This section is known as the LEAD.

The second section, the BODY of the story, must support the LEAD. Miscellaneous information and details of lesser importance are left to the third section.

As noted, the lead generally sums up what is to follow. But the summary must be worded so that the reader will be enticed into finishing the story.

The idea that the writer should embody the five "W's" is a basic one. But the writer should know that while this is generally true, there are times when one should not attempt to fit all five into one sentence. Such writing, if it is always done, would become dull, stilted and unwieldy.

Obviously, there is a need to include one or more in any lead. But consider first which of the five are the most important. Are the WHO and the WHERE of more importance than the WHAT and WHEN? Or is the WHY most important of all? Which angle of the story are you going to develop? In what direction do you want to lead your readers?

Any ideas you suggest in the lead must be developed and supported in the body of the story.

• Use 81/2 x 11 paper. Type your publicity releases and articles. Indent or tab five spaces at the start of each paragraph. Double space between lines. Leave wide margins all around.
• Mark plainly in the upper left-hand corner of the first page WHAT the article is, WHO is sending it and WHICH organization it concerns. Be sure to include your address, telephone number and date.
• Allow space at the top of the page for a headline to be written by the editor.
• Use simple words. Present the facts as clearly and concisely as you can. Avoid long involved sentences.
• Confine your fact presentation to as few paragraphs as possible. Avoid long rambling paragraphs. Each paragraph should be confined to the exposition of one idea which is the component part of the whole story.
• Avoid over-punctuation. If you are not sure how to punctuate your written copy, use simple phrasing and short sentences.
• Avoid using colloquial expressions, idiomatic phrases and slang in your writing.
• Omit all personal remarks about or to any person or thing that may be construed by your readers as being for or against individuals.
• Indent five spaces and start your article by writing the location of the story (city and state) if it has taken place outside the area considered hometown.
• Always send the original copy to an editor. Keep a copy of everything you send to the editor and place it in a file for reference another time, or in case the original copy is lost.
• Make sure the copy you send is clean. Do not send copies that are erased or heavily marked with corrections.

Writing an editorial
Once you have achieved a place in the bowling sun as a bowling writer or columnist, one of your privileges, some consider it a duty, is to write an editorial now and then.

In straight news stories, when you are reporting the results of a league or tournament or an outstanding individual performance, you ordinarily will not interject personal opinions, praise, judgments or evaluations.

However, in an editorial, that's the main idea. If you feel a personal injustice has been done to any person or any group of persons by any individual, group, business or organization, then, by all means, fire with both barrels.

Don't go into any editorial without sufficient facts from both sides of any controversy. Do your research before you go swinging alone.

Research is the most valuable and trustworthy tool of any writer. Research is tedious, at times difficult, but really simple and fascinating. Find the people who know the subject best. Analyze material carefully. Don't change or misquote to suit your own means.

Don't be afraid to take sides if you strongly feel one side is correct without a doubt. If there is some doubt on both sides, be the mediator, and let your readers decide for themselves.

Editorials are great tools and powerful weapons if used sparingly and carefully. Constructive criticism is welcomed, or at least tolerated if backed by facts and sincere thought.

Editorials can solidly establish your credibility, or do much to destroy it.

A touch of humor
Writing with a humorous flair is the most difficult, yet most appreciated form of the art.

Try it now and then, but only if the time and topic are right. Bowling is a funny game even when it's not meant to be. In every bowler's life there are the happy times, the sad times and the funny times.

Humor takes many forms and unless it is delicately used, it can be cruel. Oddly, if handled properly, you can use physical characteristics such as big feet, poor eyesight, long and unruly hair or no hair at all, and a long list of other imperfections, but only if they are a vital part of the story line and they do not insult or embarrass anyone.

We are all imperfect in one way or another and most of us can laugh about our imperfections. We've seen bowlers drop the ball behind them, leave a ball in the parking lot or forget to bring it along for a tournament.

A list of novel excuses can tickle a reader and hit home. The laughable things that happen when a family goes bowling, soda and ice cream in the bowling ball holes, marbles in bowling shoes, etc.

Did you ever list the things that bowlers store in their bowling bags? And how about the happenings on any bowling trip? Bad games, bad nights and a variety of other situations are funny to everyone but the shooter, but most bowlers can take it.

So long as humor is not mean and malicious, but kept light and witty, it can succeed and will be welcomed. Subtle sarcasm and satire also have a place, but those avenues are best left to the writers who have passed their early humor tests.

Media contacts want interesting, timely, complete and accurate information. Your chances of obtaining coverage are greatly increased by supplying these needs to your media contacts.

Interesting
Standings and tournament recaps give readers valuable information on who leads or wins bowling events and how they did it. Although informative, standings and recaps usually don't tell the entire story.

Look for surrounding circumstances that make events more interesting. These might include something special about a tournament champion or someone who bowled an exceptional score under unusual circumstances. Include this information in your story or news release. These information extras will catch the attention of media contacts and increase your odds of gaining coverage.

Timely
Media contacts want current and timely information. Old news is not news. Although your bowling news may not "stop the presses," you must provide bowling news to the media as quickly as possible after an event. The longer you wait, the less time they have to develop a story before deadline and the less likely it will be published.

Deadlines are rarely be pushed back. They are set to accommodate schedules and delivery systems. News provided at the last minute or after deadline, may not be used immediately or at all.

Complete and Accurate
Media contacts need complete and accurate information to tell a good story. You must provide them with complete information on the who, what, where, when and why of every event or happening.

Be prepared to give media contacts background information about the sport, an event, league, association or bowler. Some media contacts may be new to bowling or cover too many other "beats" to have a full understanding of the sport.

In addition to providing complete information, it must also be accurate. You can help by:

• Providing full names and correct spellings
• Double checking all scores and math calculations
• Typing or word processing all information

Some additional points to remember are:

• Keep articles brief and to the point.
• Include a contact name and telephone number with the story.
• Never leave a story hanging without final results. If there is follow-up news, such as tournament results, report it in a timely manner. The sports editor will not call you for results.
• Send your articles to any and all bowling publications that may be published in your area, including local and state association publications.
• If you are into computers, log into the Internet and create your own Web page, or latch on to another Web site
• Send stories to the nearest Associated Press location. Who knows, someone just may pick up your news.
• If all else fails, start your own newsletter. Many have done so successfully with the support of their local or state association.

As a PC, you should be able to quickly recognize newsworthy information and then develop these story opportunities. You can do this in several ways.

Actively Interacting
Interact with others to gather information. Seek out people in person or over the telephone to learn the latest news in league, tournament and association action. Most PC's receive press releases from Bowling Headquarters and other national sources. Report this national bowling news to your members. Other "people" sources may include:

• Bowlers
• League secretaries
• Tournament coordinators
• Association leaders and committee chairmen
• Bowling center proprietors and staff members
• Pro shop owners and operators

Hundreds of ideas are waiting to be found both on and off the lanes but you must search for them. It is up to you to find and gather news because it won't look for you.

Sifting for Newsworthy Information
To be an effective PC, you must be an information processor. Gather as much bowling-related news as possible and sift through it to identify which has the best chance of being published. The process will become easier and you will be more successful once you get a better understanding of what the media wants. Newsworthy ideas are:

• Informational
• Interesting and entertaining
• History-making or important firsts
• Timely
• Localized (about someone or something in the area)
• Humanized (news about real and everyday people)

• Bowling news
• Sports news
• Printed bowling statistics
• Business and economic news
• Health and fitness news
• Lifestyle news
• Senior news
• Charity events news

Pitching Ideas
To make bowling coverage happen, you must actively pitch or sell your news to the media. You can do this by using all sources available to you, including talking to the media in person; calling them on the telephone; or mailing, faxing, modeming or hand delivering your bowling news.

To enhance your pitching success rate:

• Practice pitches in advance.
• Don't pitch ideas that satisfy three or fewer newsworthy criteria.
• Develop more than one pitch or angle for each story.
• Pitch your story beyond the sports page.
• Keep support and background information handy.
• Don't let your news get stale. Pitch ideas as soon as possible.
• Pitch to several different mediums - daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
• Take advantage of slow news days.
• Always remain positive. If not successful at first, try again.

To find a listing of local radio stations in your area, look in the yellow pages of your telephone book. While fewer in number, many cities are also covered with cable or UHF television stations. Again, look in the yellow pages of your phone book.

To secure publicity from these other sources, here is a suggested procedure to follow:

• Contact the radio or television station by telephone and request an appointment with the program director. The program director makes the final decisions as to what is to go on the air, just as an editor of a newspaper decides what material will go into a paper.
• When you visit the station, be prepared to point out the importance of bowling news to the community and the number of bowlers who are potential listeners to the station.
• Obtain a list of the scheduled programs that may be appropriate for bowling news. Ask the director if the station has public service programs, if they announce a calendar of events for local organizations, if they would be interested in interviewing a bowling personality.
• Determine the correct procedure the station uses for submitting publicity. Can timely news be called in to the station? Or must all publicity be typed and sent in advance? If so, how soon and to whom?
• When writing publicity for television or radio, you should follow the same basic procedure used when writing copy for a newspaper. One notable difference is that copy for radio or television should be as brief as possible. Most items that are used take less than a minute to announce. In a spot announcement of twenty seconds, an item will contain around thirty words so choose your words carefully.

The purpose of this chapter is to show that you can find a satisfying way to promote our game if you are willing to edit your own newsletter.

An expensive, slick publication is not necessary. Rather, you might consider beginning with a newsletter that is simply typewritten and consisting of only a few pages that can be reproduced on a quality copier and distributed by your board members to the local bowling centers where they may be picked up by league members.

If you have access to a computer and many of the software programs that include newsletter templates, it is easy and fun to design an association newsletter that has a professional look.

Although some local and state associations have published a monthly edition of their newsletters, increased printing costs and less funds are limiting associations to fewer editions each year.

If your association is limited to three issues a year, it is important that your first issue is published at the start of the new season. This is the issue that gets your association off on the right foot with members. You should include a calendar of events, promote membership and the value of league sanctioning, report your association's services and benefits, and introduce your association leaders to the membership. This first issue can put your association in a positive position for the entire season.

The second issue should be published in time to promote upcoming activities including local, state and national tournaments. Be sure to consider deadline dates when promoting any event. If your newsletter is scheduled for publication a week before the activity, members won't have much time to consider participating. The season will be under way by the time this issue is published thus, you will be able to take advantage of several story opportunities.

The third issue can be used to wrap up the season. Report the winners of your tournaments, award winners and other achievements of your members. You could even give your members an idea of what to look forward to next season.

The first question of most editors is, "Where and how am I going to get all of the copy I need to fill a newsletter?"

Work with your association president and secretary. They can provide you with the information about the association activities. Ask each to contribute a special column in each issue.

Develop a form for leagues to report high scores and other news. And then you, as editor, determine the news that should be published.

People like to see their names in print and to receive recognition for their achievements. The more names you include, the more popular your newsletter will be.

Although it is your association newsletter, publish other bowling news. Include news about the junior program in your area and state, and national bowling news.

Distribute the newsletter to league secretaries. Ask them to pass it through their leagues. Ask the proprietor to post a copy at the bowling center.

Photographs also sway media contacts' decisions on whether to publish accompanying bowling stories and in which section of the newspaper they will be published. With quality photos, media releases are more likely to run in the front pages of newspaper sections than be buried deep inside.

If you would like a picture to go with a story, you should speak to the sports editor, in person, if possible. Point out the importance of the event or the person you have in mind and the merits of having a photograph.

Staff photographers from newspapers and magazines can ensure top quality photos. With a little advance notice, you can ask media contacts to have photographers assigned to your events. Understand, however, that photographers' schedules are determined by the importance of each story. Other events, such as breaking news can hold higher priorities and that means you may unexpectedly lose staff photographers to other events.

There are several things you can do when working with media contacts and photographers to make shoots more productive.

• Give media contacts and photographers the exact time, date and location of the event in advance.
• Provide media contacts and photographers with suggested shots.
• Photographers cannot spend several hours at your events. They usually drop in, shoot several photographs and immediately move on to other assignments.
• Be available to help photographers identify people in photographs and provide correct spellings of all names.
• Don't permit flash photography in competitive settings without participants' permission. Tell media contacts in advance that flashes may not be permitted. This enables them to bring the right equipment and film.
• Invite photographers at luncheons and banquets to eat as the association's guest.

On those occasions when newspaper deadlines do not allow you to take photos and have them developed, it may be possible to take some usable publicity photos in advance.

Save all of your negatives and photographs and keep a photo file of your own. A photograph not used for one event may be usable another time.

Shooting Photographs
With today's simple-to-use automated cameras, nearly everyone can shoot photographs that can be published. Many automated cameras come with built-in, adjustable flashes and zoom lenses. Automated cameras are becoming less expensive and may be an important investment for you or your association.

You can assure quality photographs by concentrating on the basics - FOCUS, LIGHTING and COMPOSITION.

Focus
The primary subjects in photos must be in focus. Bowling action can be difficult to focus. Bowlers' deliveries are so quick there is little time, if any, to focus. You can overcome this by ignoring the bowler and focusing your camera on the area near the foul line. Once this area is in focus, so are the bowlers who complete their deliveries in the same area. With everything set, and you like the photo's composition, just snap the shutter when the bowler walks into the area.

Focusing can also be a challenge with automated cameras. To learn more about focusing your subjects, read the instruction booklet that comes with your camera.

Lighting
You should use a flash indoors and outdoors whenever possible. Flashes can illuminate areas, balance lighting and chase away dark shadows.

If you have an adjustable flash, be aware there are different flash brightnesses for different conditions, and different ranges for regular, wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Check your flash instruction book for proper settings.

Composition
An automated camera cannot help you with composition but simple math can.

Use the rule of thirds. Imagine your viewfinder as a rectangle divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The key elements of photographs should fall on one or more of the lines' intersection points, instead of being placed in the exact center.

Another composition trick is to look for different camera angles. By changing your camera angle, you can add interest to photos. Remember that different camera angles have different effects. A shot taken from a low angle will make the subject appear larger than life, while a high angle will make her appear diminished.

If composition seems difficult, concentrate on focusing and lighting and leave a little area around your subjects. Photo editors can crop photographs to improve composition.

Other suggestions

• Use a 35mm camera. 35mm film is easiest for publication use.
• Avoid using instant cameras. Instant photos have poor focus and color quality and are rarely published.
• A good head shot is preferred when the story is a feature about an individual.
• Use your creativity. Avoid shots of people holding a plaque or trophy, and smiling at the camera. Action shots are always more interesting than award ceremony photos.
• Get close to your subject. Don't leave too much empty space.
• Hold your camera steady when shooting at slow shutter speeds.
• Remember the photography basics - FOCUS, LIGHTING and COMPOSITION.
• If the photo is going to run with a story, it should be of the person prominent in the story. All photos should have a caption when sent to the newspaper. Also provide your name and telephone number as a contact for more information.
• Use typed adhesive labels on the back of photos to provide identifying information, including subjects' name, event name, date and location. Do not write directly on the back of a photographs.
• Deliver photos in person if possible. This assures they won't get lost
• Don't ask to have pictures returned to you. Most editors don't want to be bothered with this task.

The Internet is an online source of information, from bulletin boards and chat groups to electronic mail (e-mail) and current news. How about browsing the World Wide Web (www), or even establishing your own Website.

Not only is the Internet a great resource tool, but it can be entertaining and educational. Bowling news from around the world is available through the Internet.

Establishing your own Web page gives you the opportunity to communicate your bowling news to others.

All of this seems exciting - and it is. But your computer must have the hardware and software capabilities to access the Internet. Although relatively inexpensive, you should fully understand any expense involved with being online.

Most new writers and some old cringe at the thought. It should be the opposite. Take every opportunity to appear as a guest speaker, M.C., host or moderator. In the beginning, and twenty years later, you will be nervous. But remember, those in the audience are waiting to hear what you have to say, and so long as you know what you're talking about, sprinkle in an anecdote or even an old or new joke, you will be much more successful than you think.

Take a little extra time to prepare. Speaking is an extension of writing and can be enjoyable, interesting, and even profitable. In many cases, you will be paid a fee for your services.

Everyone looks up to the person who effectively communicates. And, because of working with words, the tools of communication, a writer has a head start in this department.

Recognizing publicity opportunities

• Informational
• Interesting or entertaining
• History-making or important firsts
• Timely
• Humanized

Set goals

• Organize an Event Calendar
• Maintain a Clipping File
• Create an Idea File
• Subscribe to and read bowling publications

Develop a Media Contact List

• Newspaper editors and writers
• City or regional magazine editors
• Television sports directors and reporters
• Radio sports directors and reporters

Writer's block

• Develop an outline
• Write favorite parts first
• Save the headline for last
• Put it away
• Tell me a story

Publicity Chairman Don'ts and Do's

• DON'T try to disguise advertising as news. It will only be discarded if the editor thinks your publicity is advertising.
• DON'T color the facts. Superlatives exaggerated claims, self promotion, opinion or personal comment do not belong in a news story.
• DON'T pressure or beg an editor to get a story printed and DON'T go over his head to the editor-in-chief or publisher in an attempt to get a rejected story printed.
• DON'T send your material to the wrong person. Address the envelope to the editor by name. If you have a special story, deliver it in person, if possible.
• DON'T rush in with a routine story and hand it to the editor just before deadline. Most material must be in the hands of the editor at least 24 hours before its intended date of publication.
• DON'T invite members of the press to a special function and then ask them to pay an admission fee. Members of the press should always be treated as special guests.
• DON'T get discouraged if your material is not used. If possible, try to learn why it wasn't used, but do so in a tactful way.
• DON'T give up. Try and try again. Sooner or later you will succeed.
• DO write an occasional letter to the editor expressing your appreciation for publicity given. Suggest to others that they also write a note of thanks for the coverage.
• DO know the proper deadlines and the best and most convenient times to call a newspaper.
• DO try to develop an insight to people and events around you so that there are always more than enough stories.
• DO follow up with the results of an event if you have an advance story on a tournament.
• DO write a story with interest to all readers of the sports pages, not just bowlers.
• DO write in a way that will enrich and enlighten, to make people laugh, and maybe cry.
• DO write the truth.

A final word of encouragement
Even though there are times when you feel that no matter what you write, it isn't good enough or won't be read by anyone, always make it a point to continue writing. Don't be too hard on yourself, but then again, don't make excuses for not writing.

AD

Abbreviation for advertisement.

ADD

Additional news matter; matter to be added to a news story.

AGATE

Type 5-1/2 points in depth. Agate lines are used as a measure length of newspaper columns.

ANGLE

A division or phase of a story.

BANNER LINE

A single-line headline in large type extending across the first page.

BEAT

A reporter's fixed post.

BODY TYPE

The type in which most of the newspaper is set; generally, 8 point.

BREAK

The point at which a story turns from the first page to an inside page.

BULLETIN

Last-minute important news.

BYLINE

The reporter's signature, preceding a story.

CANNED COPY

Written information sent to a newspaper by press agents and publicity writers.

CAPS

Abbreviation for capitals

CAPTION

The explanatory lines, above or below a newspaper photo or diagram.

C.G.O.

"Can go over" indicates a story that can be used any time.

COPYREADER

Same as copy editor; the editor who puts the copy in its final shape before it is set. He also writes the headlines.

CREDIT LINE

The line that designates, if necessary, the source of a story or cut.

DATE LINE

The name of the city or town and the date, placed at the beginning of a story not of local origin.

DEADLINE

The minute at which the edition of the newspaper must go to press.

DESK

The copy desk at which news copy is edited and headlined

EXCLUSIVE

A story that is printed solely by one newspaper; a "scoop."

FEATURE

A story that is timely and interesting but is not strictly news.

FILLER

Any matter that has no time restrictions and can be used when needed.

FOLIO

A page or a page number.

HEAD

Abbreviation for headline.

HOLD FOR RELEASE

Designation placed on copy that is to be set but is not to be used until the direction to do so is made.

HOLDING

Putting back the edition deadline to wait for an important copy.

HTC

Abbreviation for "head to come," the designation put on the first page of a story rushed to the composing room in takes, headline to follow.

KILL

To eliminate from copy; to discard as useless.

LATE WATCH

A skeleton staff that remains to handle late stories and editions. On a morning paper, the hours from 1 a.m. to four a.m. are the late watch.

LAYOUT

A sheet, ruled into columns, indicating where articles and ads will be placed on the newspaper page.

LEAD

The introduction of a news story.

MAKE-UP

The process of placing news and ads on the newspaper, usually found on the editorial page.

MORGUE

The place where newspaper clippings are filed.

MUST

A designation placed on copy to indicate it must be printed.

PICA

Twelve-point type.

POSTSCRIPT

A page made over between editions for imperative corrections or for additions to an important story.

PROOF

An impression of type on paper on which corrections and alterations are made.

PUT TO BED

Closing the forms for an edition.

RELEASE

The order to print a story that was set earlier and held to await instructions from an editor in charge.

REWRITE

To write for a second time to strengthen the story or to reduce it in length.

RUSH

Designation placed on copy to insure speed in handling it in the composing room.

SECOND FRONT

The first page of the second section of the newspaper, sometimes called the split page.

SHEET

Slang for newspaper.

SHORTS

Minor, brief stories.

SLOT

Where the head of the copy desk sits.

STAR EDITIONA

one-star edition is the first; a two star, the second; four or five star is usually the final edition

STET

Let it stand; restore

SUBHEAD

A line of prominent type in the body of a story to break up a long section of type.

SUMMARY

A synopsis of a news story.

TAKE

A section of a running story.

TRIM

To reduce the length of a story; similar to cut.

TYPO

Abbreviation for typographical error.

Following is a suggested list of pamphlets and books to add to your reference library. These and other reference books can be found in most book stores or may be ordered from the publishers. Be sure to ask for the most recent edition.

• A good dictionary - Merriam-Webster New Collegiate or American College Dictionary.
• Webster's Instant Word Guide - A quick reference to aid the word division and spelling of 35,000 words.
• Synonyms and Anonyms - Roget's College Thesaurus
• The Elements of Style, by William Strunk, Jr., and E. B. White. - Explains the fundamentals of writing.
• A dictionary of Modern English Usage, by H. W. Fowler - One of the best reference books of its kind.
• The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual - One of the best known stylebooks; used by many newspapers. It provides a uniform code to govern details of capitalization, abbreviations, punctuation, titles, etc. Many newspapers have their own stylebooks with variations as preferred by a particular paper. Ask the editor of your local paper if you can have a copy. He will appreciate your efforts to conform to the newspaper's style.
• The Newswriter's Handbook, by M. L. Stein - An excellent book for the novice writer. It explains how news is gathered, written and edited, with numerous examples. A copy of the Associated Press Stylebook is included as an appendix.
• Headlines and Deadlines, by Robert E. Garst and Theodore M. Berstein - This book provides a broad background of a typical newspaper, the copy editor, headlines, etc.
• A Dictionary of Usage and Style, by Roy H. Copperud
• Errors in English, by Harry Shaw - A quick reference guide to correct usage and a good grammar book.
• The Pocket Dictionary of American Slang, compiled by Harold Wentworth and Stuart Flexner.

• The Bowlers Encyclopedia, prepared and produced by Bowling Headquarters. Available from the Communications Department, Greendale, WI.