#332

Daily Express, January 22, 2018

‘It was revealed last night’ is one of the most over-used phrases in newspapers, and here the idea of revelation is absurd. It’s not exactly ‘hold the front page’ material, is it?

Instead of squashing initials together, it is much better to put a space between them thus: W E Johns. It’s even better if you know how to do half spaces, which I don’t. Incidentally, the author is always known as Captain W E Johns.

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I cannot stress strongly enough that it takes years of experience to make a good sub-editor. When I was a junior sub, almost everyone else in the department was older and wiser, and the benefit of their experience was passed down to me. A chief sub would often point out how things could be improved. These days most older subs have been dispensed with and there is no one to teach or mentor the younger ones. Staffs have been so reduced that no one has time to guide anyone else.

This clinic is an attempt to pass on my experience using real examples. I would love to receive items from others as I do not read every paper every day. I will add new entries as I come across them.