Fall 2016 @Mizzou: Copy Editor, The Story’s First Reader
By Madeline Jones
Columbia, Mo. (Dec. 14, 2016) — Elizabeth Cassidy, a print and digital news senior, combs through the article “Fixating on Bill Clinton’s Past” as part of her work on the interactive copy editing desk at the Columbia Missourian. This community newspaper has been Cassidy’s home for two of the past three semesters. She previously worked as a reporter, but this fall she is taking on a new title: copy editor. Cassidy’s new responsibilities include writing social media posts and headlines as well as editing stories for online and print publication.
Cassidy sees her latest role in the newsroom as the advocate of the reader’s voice. While editing articles, she is doing more than just finding spelling and grammar mistakes. Cassidy is ensuring the story is put together in a way that creates an effective experience for the reader. “We’re not writing, but we learn what makes a good story,” Cassidy says of the important role editors play in the publishing process. “And that helps you all around as a journalist.” Photo by Madeline Jones.
Updated: October 9, 2020