Discusses how to use sidebar stories to cut down very long stories. Presents several examples of effective sidebars from school newspapers. (RS)

A Rapid City newspaper supports a question-answer column on science-related questions from local readers. Discusses development of the column, mechanics of setting it up, and why starting similar columns in other papers may help in getting science to the public. Sample questions with answers as they appeared in the newspaper are included. (JN)

Gives a four-step approach to creating a "package" of news items on a featured topic. (SR)

Describes the complete redesign of an award-winning student newspaper from a "stodgy" paper to one that presents the news in "packages." (SR)

Discusses how a high-school journalism adviser shifted from a newspaper format to a magazine format that comes out few times a year. Suggests the magazine format is more flexible, creative, and well-thought-through. Notes it requires some attention to detail, commitment to longer stories, and in-depth coverage. (RS)

Specific procedures for planning, producing, distributing, and evaluating newsletters are provided in this guide intended for the staff of voluntary organizations who have limited or no prior editing experience. Topics covered include the functions and purposes of a newsletter; staff qualifications and duties, and the organization of a newsletter…

A study was conducted at two major midwestern newspapers to ascertain the effects of video display terminal (VDT) use on the work and perceptions of copy editors. The methodology consisted of observation of one full day of copy desk work at a VDT by a single local news desk copy editor and one full day of work at VDTs by a regular weekday shift of…

Reports on the coordinated efforts of editing, reporting, and advertising students in publishing a newspaper fashioned after "The New York Times." (HOD)

Offers tips to junior high school yearbook staff members for improvement in such areas as coverage of academics and student life, caption writing, layout, use of student art, and copy writing. (GT)

Finds that 204 high school students preferred newspapers that used accompanying materials, such as pullout quotes and many, although smaller, photographs. Notes that writing style and the use of color had little influence. (RS)

Outlines a step-by-step approach to creating a grid to help in "packaging" news items on the front page, inside news page, and sports page. Offers a completed prototype. (SR)

Describes how a high school newspaper, in response to a large-scale readership survey, used the concept of "packaging" news (breaking story ideas down into smaller pieces to entice readers) to rethink and redesign the paper. Offers hints and staff goals based on their experience. (SR)

Suggests knowing the basics is critical if newspaper advisers and staffs are to move their newspaper into the best, excellent, superior, above average, all-everything category a scholastic press evaluation service may award. Discusses the basic areas of writing, design, photojournalism, advertising, and overall coverage. (RS)

Offers suggestions about many aspects of sports editing, including providing balanced coverage, working for variety in layout, finding interesting angles in writing sports stories, obtaining interesting quotations, and achieving accuracy in copy. (GW)

Provides suggestions to student journalists concerning coverage of campus news, direct quotes, front page art, headlines, and use of profanity; cites effective features in specific college newspapers; and lists noteworthy facts about college newspapers. (GW)