Journalism Errors: Double Check The Spelling of Names and Other Facts

When Emilie Davis, a countersignprint journalism professor at the S.I. Newhouse civilize of Public Communications at Syracuse University, picks up her nametag at an event, she often stares down at the more than common spelling of her name, Emily. She is used to batch misspelling her name, so she unremarkably leaves it the way its written to not make it a astronomical deal. As Steve Davis, Emilie Daviss husband, explained his wifes silent frustration when people misspell her name, he said, it never hurts to just double check.Steve Davis, also a newspaper publisher journalism professor, as well as chair of the newspaper department at the Newhouse School, is very familiar with spelling strays and factual errors when it comes to news writing. Before coming to Newhouse, Davis had been the executive editor for the Public Opinion, the Chambersburg, Pa., community newspaper, and both national editor and Washington editor at USA Today.Its a miracle how few mistakes there are when you consider the hundreds and thousands of articles published both day, Davis said. But even though he knows ab bring out all the unassailable work put toward error-free articles, he has still come to understand how austere people plenty be when a journalist does make a mistake. When a persons name is spelled wrong an article, the reaction can be deadly, Davis said. In a business where one must enclose his work to people who will examine it, and after one mistake deem it crap, Davis said, it takes bravery to do that every day. This harsh reality of the news writing industry provoked the thought process behind the Newhouse Schools spelling/grammatical/factual error grading constitution in news writing and editing classes.In the first fractional of the introductory news ... ...licy that reveals itself during the second half of the semester. Students no longer imbibe an F for one error, but rather one letter-grade less than they would live received for an article with no mistakes.Students who have gotten two or threesome Fs on articles have still ended up getting an A in the course, Davis said, since the second half of the semester counts more than the first. Its all about learning, Davis said. If they show improvement, often the Fs from the set-back will get thrown out.Sometimes the professors come together and say, Should we channelize the policy? Davis said. But in the end, they always agree its for the best.Since they wont be changing the policy any time soon, Davis gives out a warning to students using someones name in an article. Dont take nametags for granted, Davis said. Remember, it never hurts to just double check.