Coaching
Writers
Adapted
from Coaching
Writers
by Roy Peter Clark and Don Fry
What
is Coaching?
Coaching
is a way to improve newswriting by helping journalists do
their best work. It focuses on improving the writers instead
of improving the copy.
|
How
Does Coaching Differ from Fixing?
|
|
FIXING
a) focuses on the editor's control
|
COACHING
a) focuses on the writer's growth |
| b)
leads to dependence and frustration |
b)
builds the writer's confidence |
| c)
solves immediate problems but must be repeated again
and again |
c)
takes longer initially but frees editor and writer over
time |
| d)
sets individual against individual |
d)
encourages teamwork |
What Must
the Editor/Coach Do?
Listen
intently.
Encourage
the writer by looking for areas to praise.
Ask
useful questions.
Help
the Writer develop the piece while leaving ownership with
the writer.
Personal
Goals
Improve
the communications to improve the journalism.
Take
responsibility for your growth.
Look
for newsroom heroes/heroines and learn from them.
An
Inventory
How
does an editor or writer help you do your best work?
How
does that person hinder your best efforts?
How
do you help that person?
What
would that person like you to change about the way you
work?
-- Excerpted from The
Effective Editor by Foster Davis and Karen F. Dunlap
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