Fact Error

A fact error is when an element in a story is presented as a fact, but it is actually wrong. Sometimes it could be the misspelling of someone's name or a wrong date printed in a story.

Example: The New York Times April 23rd issue

Explanation: 

The reference of the Ramapoughs as Indians is wrong and outdated. They are either Native Americans or American Indians.

Revision:

Emboldening the Ramapoughs is another parallel war that the state's Native Americans have been waging: for official recognition.

AP Style Error

When the main noun is too far from the verb that goes with it, it can be confused with other nouns in the same sentence. Sentences usually put the verb and the noun as close together as possible for clarity.

Example: The Chiacgo Tribune April 24th Issue

Explanation: 

The main noun "city code lawsuits" is quite far from the verb "have". It could be closer, so the reader can get to the action quicker.

Revision:

Nearly five months later, however, city code lawsuits have quadrupled against the Better Housing Foundation. 

Main Noun Too Far From Main Verb

When the main noun is too far from the verb that goes with it, it can be confused with other nouns in the same sentence. Sentences usually put the verb and the noun as close together as possible for clarity.

Example: The Chiacgo Tribune April 24th Issue

Explanation: 

The main noun "city code lawsuits" is quite far from the verb "have". It could be closer, so the reader can get to the action quicker.

Revision:

Nearly five months later, however, city code lawsuits have quadrupled against the Better Housing Foundation. 

 

Inaccurate or Misleading Numbers in A Story

Sometimes the numbers shown in a story article are not always correct. The numbers could be too big or use the wrong units for what is being measured. Dollar amounts could be exaggerated in a dataset and become misleading. Slight miscalculations in percent, for example, not equaling to a 100 percent when adding all the parts. 

Example: The New York Times April 11th Issue

Explanation: 

The distance between Tanana and Fairbanks is 129 miles, or about 130 miles. The article says the distance is about 100 miles. That is a 29 mile difference, The New York Times is usually more percise.

 Revision:

 Charles Wright, who lives in Tanana, a village on the Yukon River about 130 miles west of Fairbanks, has hunted geese and trapped beaver with his family since he was a boy.

Sometimes the numbers shown in a story article are not always correct. The numbers could be too big or use the wrong units for what is being measured. Dollar amounts could be exaggerated in a dataset and become misleading. Slight miscalculations in percent, for example, not equaling to a 100% when adding all the parts. 

  

Wrong Pronouns

Pronouns are words that replace proper nouns such as names, objects or groups. Nominative pronouns replace the subject of a sentence and objective pronouns replace the object of a sentence.

Pronouns also replace possesive nouns. Instead of "Jimmy's bat" it is now "his bat."

Example: The New York Times April 24th Issue

Explanation: 

"The police" are a plural noun so the pronoun attached to them must also be plural. "Its" is a singular possessive pronoun. "Their are theirs" are plural possessive pronouns so "their" is the right one for this sentence.   

 Revision:

 The police in Northern Ireland said that Thursday night's rioting had broken out after their officers entered the Creggan area to search for arms and explosives that security servvices beileved would be used in an attack to mark the anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916,..."

Usage

How words are used in a sentence can vary depending on the context of the sentence. Sometimes the wrong word is used because the Journalist thinks it means something that it doesn't. Sometimes it's a simple misspelling and other times it's the wrong word entirely. 

Example: The New York Times April 16th Issue

Explanation: 

The word albeit means although. Based on the way it is used in the sentence, albeit is supposed to put emphasis on the fact that 15 minute checkups don't address future issues that can be life-threatening. The "that" after "one" throws the use of albeit off, and it doesn't work here. 

 Revision:

 However, the typical 15-minute office visit is often focused on current medical issues, like diabetes and high blood pressure, rather than on a possible future problem, especially one that can be life- threatening. Or ,one that can become life-threatening.

Wordiness

Sentences in journalism should be short and concise. Readers don't like long sentences and sometimes the point can be made with fewer words anyway. Shorter sentences also provide more clarity where longer sentences can allow the reader to get lost.

Example: The Chicago Tribune April 11

Explanation:

The sentence could be shorter, causing it to flow better. It seems as though the two tracks aren't opposite as the sentence is written. One track wants stricter policies and the other one wants to unify a legislative package.

Revision:

The resulting parallel tracks --one to divide and another to unify legislature on implementing stricter policies or not--have created uncertainty and confusion both inside the administration and on Capitol Hill about where Trump is headed.