Make Copy Shine By Editing 2023

GET THE ANGLE ESTABLISHED: After reading through the story twice, the message or angle of the story should be clear. • Make sure the angle is strong. • Is it an approach that has been done before? • Stories just about something “new” won’t cut it — what about the something “new” is worth writing about? • Is the angle specific enough? • Is it focused on people? DISCUSS ANGLES: If you assess the angle of the story and find it to be weak, start by talking to the writer. • Listen to the writer. • Urge the writer to put their interview and notes away and just tell the story. • Let them talk about the subject and see if you can find the angle in their explanation. • Ask them to write a headline for the piece if they haven’t already. If it is too difficult to find a headline that works, the angle is probably still unfocused and vague.

ACTIVITY

Your Name:

CREATE AN ANGLE TREE

List all the ideas in the story as branches. Next, determine what the trunk of the tree should be. What is anchoring all these ideas together? Now, redirect the other ideas in the branches to connect back to the trunk. If a branch idea has no connection to the trunk, cut it off. It will only weigh down the rest of your tree. Now, fill out your own angle tree on the next page.

6