Related story: Poisoned: An in-depth look at Rhode Island's lead-poisoning crisis

In May 2001, The Providence Journal published a major series on lead poisoning in Rhode Island and its impact. Later, the team that produced the project, both in print and online, assembled to share what they learned from the project.

In this second of two parts looking at the series, The Power of Words adds followup thoughts from the project editor, Jean Plunkett, and Dave McPherson, online producer.

Jean's thoughts centered on what makes a great newspaper series. She says:

1. Excellent topic is essential.

a. It should be one that as far as possible has universal appeal. The challenge with writing about lead poisoing was not to have people put it aside because it affected ``them'' and not me.

b.A tight focus: After all we know about lead, why were 3,000 children lead-paint poisoned last year in Rhode Island?

2. Excellent reporter and excellent photographer.

3. Support from the top editors.

4. Cooperation and open discussions all around. Best series are organic wholes in which pictures/words/graphics/charts all work seamlessly together.

5. Foster the group process by:

a. Holding weekly meetings to stay focused and keep everybody current.

b. Keep a budget/outline and updated it as the project evolves. The simpler the budget the better.

c. Create a file in the computer for the story so that editing can become a sort of conversation with the reporter. The reporter can then take suggestions and go back, ponder, have another go at it. There will be lots of drafts, each leaping ahead in excellence. 6. Keep stories short. (60 inches in the lead series.)

7. Work with the online producers. Organize an on-line chat with the reporter. 8. Keep an open dialogue with your editor throughout

9. Writing tips:

a. Keep the focus on the people: don't just write an anecdotal lead and then after a few grafs, abandon it and go back to dry facts and numbers;

b. FOCUS. Know what to leave out.

c. Think about the ending.

10. Use lots of consumer boxes and charts for facts and other data so you can keep the story a narrative.

11. Excellent copy editing/constant fact checking is essential. (In the lead series there was NOT A SINGLE CORRECTION.)

12. Headlines and captions:

a. Headlines: It's absolutely essential that they be strong. Heads can enhance a story, draw readers in, or make them turn the page. Even the title for the series, POISONED, evolved. For example, in the lead series we had to cope with lead-paint poisoning in children and make that a dynamic headline!

b. Captions: You must give new information to readers whenever possible. For example: If a little girl is jump roping while an older woman looks on, it's not enough to say ``Little Mary jumps rope while her grandmother, Old Mary, looks on with a smile on her face.'' You can see that instantly by looking at the picture. It's so much better, for example, to say, ``Old Mary spends most afternoons in Lippitt Park, in Providence, with her youngest grandchild and namesake, Young Mary...''

Dave McPherson provided tips on how print reporters can work with online staff. He says:

1. The sooner, the better.

Get us involved in the planning for a special story or project as early possible. The more time we have to prepare, the better job we can do in presenting your work online. If we do not get involved in a project until the last minute, there is not much we can do beyond the routine republishing of a story.

Also, even when we know what's coming, we need time to produce the online presentation. If we don't get stories, captions and photos until the last minute, we cannot do as much as we would like.

2. Keep us involved.

If there are regular meetings as a project progresses, make sure somebody from the online operation is attending. We need to stay up to date just as much as the reporters, photographers and editors. Some of the unique online features of the lead project grew out of the weekly meetings we took part in.

3. Think Web presentation

We know the Web, but we don't know your topics as well as you do. From the beginning, start thinking yourself about what features you might like to see offered online.

Would you like to take part in an online chat? Are there public records we could make available online? Are there databases or other electronic records we can present that would never make it into the paper?

4. Share your research

As you report a story, let us know what you are gathering. What Web sites are you visiting? What records are you looking at? What photos have you taken or located? Material you find fascinating but cannot squeeze into a story might make for a great online feature. 5. Update that budget

Both for daily stories and projects, we rely on budgets to stay informed as to what is happening. Keeping it up to date prevents us from going off in the wrong direction. 6. Let us know how we can help you

We can help you by bringing more attention to your work and make it available for a longer period of time. The online presentation we produce reflects upon your work. Let us know what you would like to see done with your work and how else we can help you.