1. How's the macro -- the big picture? The story should give people a good idea of an event or circumstance. Here, the editor stands in for readers, making sure they will have enough information to form an opinion about something. This includes organization, seeing that first things come first and that fuzzy points are cleared up with examples or revisions by the writer.

2. How's the micro -- the details? Nail down everything from grammar and punctuation to names and addresses. Check every letter in every word for spelling. Check every sentence to see that it captures nuance and that it reads right. Look for holes in the story and for things readers might not understand.

3. Does the math add up? It is dull and dangerous work. But everybody knows reporters flunked out of business school; that's why they are reporters. A recent example: "The result was a 47-point outburst by the Ayden sophomore in a 92-86 victory for the Lancers. He hit 18 of 25 field goals and 9 of 12 free throws." Do the math. It is 45 points: 18X2=36+9=45. Some three-pointers? Not in the box score. Something is wrong. (To make it even worse the headline said 48.) And remember, nobody does percentages right.

4. How about transitions? After you understand a story, it is difficult to see the need for transitions. You see the need for them on the first read-through. Therefore, get the transitions in then, or at least note their need, to make sure the story flows from point to point.

5. Can the lede be sharpened? Does it focus on exactly what the story is about? Is there secondary information that could be left to later. Is necessary attribution there, but unnecessary attribution left until later--or not at all?

6. Does the headline do the job? Many people read nothing but headlines; therefore, it is obvious they must be clear, informative and interesting.

7. Is the ending proper? News stories often end when they run out of space or information. That's fine. But sometimes they need to end.