Critical thinking checklist

1. Reading, not editing, is the first step. Give the story a quick reading for content -- without making any editing changes.

2. Organization. Is the lead labored or long? Is there a nut paragraph, no lower than the third or fourth graf, that tells succinctly why the story is in the paper? Does the story contain the essential five W's and H? Is the news presented in the order of importance? Does the story have a good ending that will make the reader remember it? Did the lead's writer mine the story for information that will grab the reader's attention? Clarity. Is the story clear? Is it complete? Are there unanswered questions? Are there unexplained contradictions? Fairness. Is the story balanced? Are sources reliable and identified? Does the story give both sides? Does it provide an opportunity to reply to charges? Does it libel anyone? Is it in good taste? Length. Is the story too long, too short, just right? Is there more information than is useful or interesting to the reader? Can it be made shorter without sacrificing anything truly important?

3. If there are problems in any of the areas listed above, go back to the writer with questions and suggestions. Ask the writer to fix the story. This is part of the feedback that makes a good story better and makes the writer and the editor a team.

4. After the first reading, review the story again. Have you done everything that is needed or are you trying to avoid dealing with difficult questions? Leave no question unanswered. Have you listened to your instincts, your experience? If you have a hunch, have you followed it? Remember that gut feelings are an important part of editing.

5. Check one more time to make sure the reader can understand the story.

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