Monday, January 31, 2011

Basic Ledes . . . Don't Trust Spell Check!

In journalism, it's important you get all your facts right. A Spell Check program is one tool that helps you find errors and fix 'em. But it's not a perfect tool.

For example, it won't catch instances when you use an incorrect word, but spell that incorrect word correctly. Like in this lede:

A new panhandling ordinance will be announced Tuesday by Major Datolli.

You meant "Mayor" and not "Major," right?

Spell Check is one layer of due diligence. But it's not a substitute for going through a story line-by-line and double-checking facts yourself.

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