Q: As an assignment editor looking for other similar jobs, I often come across requests for "editing clips." What's the best format for these, because what I would consider an editing clip - drafts in a prepublished state, allowing for comparison to a final product - would seem to be proprietary information owned by my company.
Alan
A: Great question. Showing someone's unedited work can seem a little cruel, too. (I am so happy to have an editor!)
Unless an editor specifically asks for before and afters, I think I would submit a clip where you have done good editing and written a smart headline. In the margin of the clip, I would tell a little about what you did to help the article. You'll want examples where you have done relatively big stuff: new lead, restructuring, combining, a huge trim, meeting a hard deadline.
Your line editing skills will be demonstrated in your cover letter, resume and e-mails.
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