In AP Style Heaven

     I knew I was in heaven this morning when Steve's introductory slide appeared with an "X" crossing out an unnecessary comma on his title about editing our stories. I really like editing and playing with AP style. (And if I knew how to put a big red "X" over the word "really" in my last sentence, I would.)

     Tuesday's writing assignment was good for all of us, I'd say. I try to do what I expect my students to do, but too often I get caught up in anything and everything else. One thing that works well for me is to ask other teachers to invite my beginning journalism class to sit in on a guest speaker's visit if it's during the journalism class block. Each student writes a story about the event, and so do I. Together we look at all the stories and offer ways in which they might be improved. The leads get most of the attention. I love it when a student makes a change that improves my story -- and that student definitely loves it, too.

     Because of this morning's session, I will focus more attention on the closing of each story, too.

     I choose the two best student stories and combine them, either giving a double byline or giving a single byline to the primary writer and adding the other writer's name at the end of the story with an editor's note saying, "John Jones contributed to this story." The school newspaper then picks up that story. 

Elizabeth Granger

Lawrence Central High School

Indianapolis, Ind.