Digital Sub-Editing and Design

Glossary ofediting terms

Banner headline that covers the full width of the page; usually a major story.

Basket originally, the wire basket on the subs’ desks into which finished copy was placed by reporters. The term has been retained in computerized editing systems.

Block old-fashioned term for a picture or illustration.

Block line another name for a caption (see also cutline).

Blurb front page graphic or story that points to a story inside the paper.

Body type the main text, the type in which stories are set (excluding intros and headlines).

Bold blacker type used for paragraphs a layout sub wants to stand out against other paragraphs.

Box story enclosed by a box of ruled lines (rules).

Breaking story developing story, a saga that continues ...