Practical English Composition: Book II | Page 4

{City Editor, in {Stock Market { charge of six {Courts { to twenty-five {Sport { reporters {Society {Marine {Religion {Drama {Music
Good reporters are not numerous. The reason is that, to succeed in this work, a man or a woman must be able to gather news and to write. There are plenty of people who can do either, but few who can do both.
In order to get news one must be physically tireless, fond of adventure, persistent, unabashed, polite, courageous, and resourceful in the highest degree. To the successful reporter an impossibility is only an opportunity in disguise. In his lexicon there is no such word as "fail." He must know how to make and keep friends. He must have that kind of originality which is called "initiative." Above all, he must be scrupulously honest. He must be actuated by a fixed determination to get the news, the whole news, and nothing but the news.
In order to write well one must be able to spell, punctuate, and capitalize; know the laws of grammar and how to apply them; be familiar with the principles of rhetoric; and have a wide acquaintance with good books. These qualities are not usually found in company with those which make a successful news-gatherer. A person who has both is therefore worth his weight in gold to a newspaper. The fact that this combination of qualities is so rare leads many papers to employ special rewrite men whose business it is to put into good English the raw material furnished by the news-gatherer.
One other newspaper functionary remains to be noticed, the writer of editorials. News items are confined to facts. Editorials contain expressions of opinion. Everybody reads news, because it speaks for itself. Editorials are designed to mould public opinion. Unless they are characterized by extreme good sense or brilliancy, nobody heeds them, though, if he makes a mistake in one, the writer of editorials is apt to conclude that everybody reads them. The writer of editorials must therefore be a person of exceptional qualifications.
III.?Class Organization
For the present the teacher of the class studying this book may act as city editor and the pupils as reporters. Later, perhaps, a more formal organization may be effected, with pupils as managing editor, assistant managing editor, city editor, etc.
IV.?Newspaper Co?peration
The editor of the local paper will probably be willing to print any really good material that the class produces. If possible, an arrangement for this purpose should be made with him. It is also possible that he may be willing to supplement this chapter by talking to the class.
V.?Topics for Oral Discussion
1. What Is a Newspaper? 2. The History of Journalism. 3. Why is a Study of Journalistic Writing Practical? 4. The Organization of a Newspaper. 5. The Managing Editor. 6. The Composing-room. 7. The Business Manager. 8. The Assistant Managing Editor. 9. The Telegraph Editor. 10. The State Editor. 11. The City Editor. 12. The Reporter. 13. "Beats." 14. "Scoops." 15. Editorials. 16. The Gospel of Work.
VI.?Suggested Reading
Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King and The Light That Failed.
VII.?Memorize
A PSALM OF LIFE
Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream, For the soul is dead that slumbers And things are not what they seem.
Life is real, life is earnest, And the grave is not its goal; "Dust thou art, to dust returnest," Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment and not sorrow Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!
(Continued on Page?13.)

CHAPTER?II
NEWS ITEMS
"Facts are stubborn things." LE SAGE.
I.?Assignment
Find and report some unusual and interesting thing that has been made or done by boys or girls. Do not get your information from literature. Get it from life. Above all, don't make it up. It must be fact, not fiction.
When the city editor gives a reporter an assignment, he does not expect to answer questions. The reporter's business is to give the city editor copy, not to rely on him for information. The reporter who does not promptly learn this fact soon ceases to be a reporter.
II.?Getting the Facts
In all writing the gathering of material is more important than any other one thing. In reportorial work it is almost all-important. Almost anybody can tell a story if he has the facts. Energy, persistent politeness, and a pair of stout legs are more essential in reporting than is a large vocabulary. The pursuit of news is always a fascinating and sometimes a dangerous game. If you do not believe this, read Fighting in