Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 5 · column 6 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
supporters, I know that you agree...”
In each instance we need a “you” to hang onto. “I wanted to write you as one of CSE’s most valued members...” “I know that as one of our party’s most dedicated supporters, you agree that...”
A weekley paper in Colrado carried an intersting crime report: “Wearing a bad haircut with a blue rhinestone collar, a woman reported her missing poodle.” Hard to say what to do with that sentence.
Here is a nice historical dangle from House Beautiful: “Designed in 1792 for $500 by James Hoban, an Irish architect, John Adams became the first U.S. president to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
This one, from the Washington Monthly last winter, defies successful editing: “McCummings’ profession was mugging. While attempting to rob and strangle a 71-year old in a subway station, a transit cop heard the victim’s cries and found him on the station platform being throttled by McCummings.” The best thing to do with that sentence is to shoot it.
Thinking of shooting: Reporters seem to have a serious problem with homicides. In Fort Collins, Colo., “Spinhamey shot and killed 26-yearbld Leonard Zuchel four times.” In Rock Hill, S.C., “Both girls appeared to have been shot to death, possibly several times.”
Some mangles tend to send read- 1 ers dead in their tracks, possibly several times. In San Antonio, “Juvenile Court Master Irma Hernandez ordered the boy detained on charges of engaging in juvenile conduct.” Well, that figures.
In Portland, a father and his long-lost daughter were reunited after 22 years: “He shook, tears steaming down parts of his face that weren’t there when she w^as bom.”
This isn’t exactly a mangle, but it will serve as one more reminder to listen to what we write. It comes from “Business Briefs” in the Sumner (Wash.) Communtiy Sun: “With more than 17 years of cutting and designing hair under his belt, Dave Brown has just opened Dave’s Family Hair Care at 926 Main Street.”
All right, let’s hear it for Dave! And let’s listen to the sense of the stuff we write.
Copyright 1994 Universal Press
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