St. Petersburg Times

Text Enhancement Terms

This is a combined list of added terms from the database editors and graphics editors subject lists and Pete Basofin's subject list for book catalog in Access.

Use of this list will filter the relevant stories on a subject or identify abstract ideas, such as CLOSING; to bring together material on the closing of a business or organization.

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A

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ABORTION: to distinguish stories specifically regarding abortion.

ABUSE$: general stories about ANIMAL, CHILD, DRUG, ELDERLY, or ALCOHOL abuse, etc.

ABUSE: specific stories about ANIMAL, CHILD, DRUG, ELDERLY, or ALCOHOL abuse, etc.; crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

ACCIDENT: add to first story only - not for follow-ups; also for general stories concerning statistics; see also DISASTER.

ACTOR

ADMINISTRATION: use with general stories about the executive branch of government at all levels (city, county, state, and federal).

AERIAL

AGE: of a person, building, group, movement, when the age is important.

AGREEMENT: use when an agreement is announced.

AGRICULTURE: general stories on farming, growing/producing.

AID: government aid to states, cities or foreign countries; CHARITY is used for private giving

AIRPORT

ALCOHOL$: use instead of liquor; may be used with ABUSE, STATISTICS, JUVENILE, etc.; for general stories only.

ALCOHOL: specific cases of DUI, minor consumption, etc.

ALMANAC

ALTERNATIVE: an unconventional way of doing something.

AMUSEMENT

ANALYSIS: used for an in-depth piece on a subject

ANECDOTE: funny, embarrassing, silly, or absurd happening or action; the stories so labelled will be considered for the year-end "Sour Orange Awards" -- FLORIDA STORIES ONLY.

ANIMAL: retrieves all stories about animals; this includes insects, birds, etc.

APPOINTMENT: used when a person has been appointed to or is being considered for a post.

ARCHITECTURE: aesthetic design; profession as a whole; general stories only.

ARMS

ARRESTED

ARSON$: crime word, general stories.

ARSON: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

ART: fine arts; use also with REVIEW; contrast with HANDICRAFT.

ART SHOW

ARTICLE: used to label related stories (sidebars) in a single day's paper; see also MAJOR STORY.

ASSET: used for personal finance, debt or bankruptcy; e.g. a political candidate's; FINANCE is used for business.

ASSAULT$: crime word ... used for general stories.

ASSAULT: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, and sentence

ATLAS

ATTEMPT: may be used with but is not restricted to crime stories.

AUTOMOBILE

AVIATION$: general stories only; e.g. INDUSTRY.

AVIATION: specific stories; may use with ACCIDENT, STRIKE, MERGER, etc.

AWARD: may be used with NAMELIST; may add personal or corporate name in subject field.

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B

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BANK: for general stories about saving and lending institutions; NOT to be used as an adjective

BASEBALL

BASKETBALL

BEACH: used to bring together significant stories about local beaches.

BEAUTY

BEGIN: to start something, except a business; see also FINISH

BEHAVIOR: used to bring together various stories on, but not exclusive to, psychology.

BEVERAGE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BICYCLE

BIOGRAPHY: used if there is significant personal data in a story; ALWAYS with candidate boxes; the person's name may appear in the subject field.

BIRTH: limited to medical aspect, including pregnancy and birth control.

BLACKS: used to identify stories about African American people as a group.

BOAT

BOMB

BOOK: used, in most cases, with REVIEW.

BOXING

BRIDGE: used to filter out stories about causeways, bridges, etc.

BUDGET: used for government stories; FINANCE is used for non-government stories.

BUILDING: used as a noun to identify a structure; used to link stories about individual buildings, e.g. the Don CeSar.

BURGLARY$: crime word ... used for general stories only.

BURGLARY: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

BUSINESS: used for retail and service businesses; contrast with INDUSTRY.

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C

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CABINET

CAMP

CANCER: used when the word is important but not necessarily mentioned in the story, e.g. stories about leukemia.

CANDIDATE: used ONLY when announcement is made; name may appear in the subject field.

* CARJACKING$: crime word ... general discussion of

* CARJACKING: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

CAUSE: the reason something happened.

CELEBRITY: use with MURDER, FRAUD, DEATH, etc., to show association

CENSORSHIP: idea or act of censoring; censor: examines books, plays, news reports, motion pictures, radio programs, for the purpose of suppressing parts deemed objectionable on moral, political, military, or other grounds

CHAMPIONSHIP

CHANGE: something significant has happened; is not used with MERGER, BEGIN, FIRST, or FINISH.

CHARITY: non-governmental giving.

CHESS

CHILD: used for general stories about people twelve and under; JUVENILE is used where the legal aspect dominates.

CHILD ABUSE$: crime word ... general discussion of

CHILD ABUSE: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

CHILDREN

CHRONOLOGY: used when one is present in a story.

CITY: used where the distinction is important.

CITY COUNCIL: used for stories about the body itself, no matter what a community calls the group.

CIVIL RIGHTS

CLOSING: of a company or business; contrast with OPENING.

COINCIDENCE: an ironic set of happenings

COLLEGE: used for all post-secondary schools; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

COMEDY

COMPARISON: used to compare one thing with another

CONFLICT: armed conflict between nations and identifiable groups of people (e.g. Christian militia in Lebanon). Use REBELLION when the object of conflict is overthrow of the existing government by rebels.

CONGRESS: used for both the U.S. House and Senate.; may be used with major conflicts of federal legislation

CONSTRUCTION: use for general stories about the industry; may include major construction projects, e.g. state roads; not a synonym for BUILDING.

CONSUMER: links various stories about consumer issues.

CONTAMINATION: non-environmental (as in food, medicines, drinking water and other consumables); use POLLUTION for environment.

CONTEST: for all types of contests.

CONTROVERSY: can be used for both controversial issues and people.

CONVENTION

COST: use to note specific dollar amounts.

COUNTY: use when the distinction is important.

COURT: use for the judicial process in a general sense

CRIME: use in a general sense to filter out major stories; can be paired with STATISTIC, CELEBRITY, EMPLOYEE, etc.

CULT: religious or political groups.

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D

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Damage

DANCE: use both for dance productions and the art; also used with REVIEW.

DATE: use when a specific one is given, either past or future; when it is important or significant 

DEATH: use when a death is mentioned; is often added to STABBING, SHOOTING, ACCIDENT, DISASTER, etc.

DECREASE: may include statistics; not to be used for speculations; see also INCREASE.

DEFECT: as in auto (use VEHICLE), product, process.

DEFENSE: for stories about a nation's military or defense of the nation in general; may use the name of a country in the subject field.

DELAY: use when something is ""held up.''

DEVELOPMENT: use as a noun for real estate, office buildings, etc; may use for state, county, etc. in a larger sense.

DICTIONARY

DIRECTORY

DISASTER: natural or human-caused as in an explosion, hurricane; often used in conjunction with ACCIDENT, DEATH, STATISTIC.

DISCRIMINATION: may use with WOMAN, BLACKS, ELDERLY, HISPANICS, HOMOSEXUAL, etc.

DISEASE$: used to clarify and link specific diseases; often used with RESEARCH.

DISEASE: used for stories about individuals afflicted with a disease, e.g. AIDS; may also be used for epidemics of specific diseases.

DIVING

DOG RACING: may use with regulation of gambling; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

DROWN: often used with DEATH, RESCUE, ATTEMPT.

DRUG$: general stories about illegal only; use MEDICINE for legal use.

DRUG: for specific cases of illegal use, possession, selling, etc.; also crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

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E

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EARTHQUAKE

ECONOMY: use for places, not for an industry or business; FINANCE is used for a company and ASSET is used for a person.

EDUCATION: general; used with CHANGE, ALTERNATIVE, HANDICAPPED, etc

ELDERLY: use for general stories about people over 60; may use specifically with ABUSE, FRAUD, DISCRIMINATION, etc.

ELECTION: use for political campaigns; for outcome RESULT is used.

ELECTRONIC

EMPLOYEE: use for workers who are not executives; may use for layoffs

EMPLOYMENT: includes unemployment; often used with STATISTIC.

ENCYCLOPEDIA

ENDORSEMENT: use only when the Times editorially endorses candidates or issues.

ENERGY: catch-all term; may use for rate increases; may be used with NUCLEAR.

ENTERTAINMENT

ENVIRONMENT: used as an issue and for stories about the effects on.

EQUIPMENT

ESPIONAGE$: for general stories only.

ESPIONAGE: used for specific spy cases; may also be crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

ETHIC: where a code of behavior is discussed.

ETHNIC: whenever the story emphasizes an ethnic group and its customs.; may be used with FOOD, etc.

EXPLOSION

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F

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FAD: links various topics, such as hula-hoops, pet rocks, etc.; use FASHION for clothing.

FAIR

FAMILY: general stories about families and family life.

FARM

FASHION: use for clothes only; may use with REVIEW; contrast with FAD.

FEDERAL: identifies U.S. government, AID, BUDGET, LAW, etc.

FESTIVAL

FINANCE: use for companies; stories refer to profit/loss, quarterly reports, etc. ECONOMY is used for places; a company name may appear in the subject field.

FINISH: people quitting, layoffs, retirement; project or event is over; use CLOSING for a business.

FIRE$: not to be confused with ARSON; used for general stories about fires.

FIRE: use for all stories about building, automotive, trailer, etc. fires.

FIRST: use to identify the first time something happens.

FISHING: may be used with INDUSTRY, LAW, etc.; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

FLOOD

FOOD: use for consumption of, preparation of, or nutritional aspects of food.

FOOTBALL

FORECAST: prediction or analysis of trends

FORGERY$: crime word ... general stories only.

FORGERY: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

FOUND: when a person or thing is found.

FRAUD$: crime word ... general stories only.

FRAUD: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

FUNERAL

FURNITURE

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G

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GAMBLING: general stories; may be used for lottery stories

GAME

GLOSSARY: explanation of words peculiar to a situation or a group; used only if the glossary is a part of the story.

GOLF

GOVERNMENT: use when a particular level of government is treated as a whole; a geographic name may appear in the subject field.

GUIDELINE: use when a story offers advice on where to go, or whom to call; use HOW-TO for stories on how to do something.

GYMNASTICS

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H

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HANDICAPPED: for all stories on the disabled.

HANDICRAFT: often used with HOW-TO in stories on arts and crafts.

* HARASSMENT: use with gender, race, sex, etc. for FORMAL complaints

* HATE CRIME$: crime word ... general discussion of

* HATE CRIME: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

HAZARDOUS: use for transportation, storage, and leaks of hazardous materials.

HEADSHOT

HEALTH$: refers to the general soundness and vigor of the mind or body.

HEALTH: the same definition as HEALTH$ although with specific reference to a person

HEAVY EQUIPMENT

HIJACKING

HISPANICS: use to link stories about hispanic people as a group.

HISTORY: use only when significant details are given; contrast with CHRONOLOGY.

HOBBY: to bring together hobbies like collecting baseball cards, etc.

HOCKEY

HOLIDAY

HOMELESS

HOMOSEXUAL: used for gay men and lesbian issues

HORSE RACING: regulation / gambling in the industry; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

HOSPITAL: may be used for general or specific discussions.

HOSTAGE

HOUSING: may be used with ELDERLY or WELFARE; not used as a synonym for construction

HOW-TO: stories that tell you how to do something; contrast with GUIDELINE.

HUMAN RIGHTS: includes civil rights; used with BLACKS, WOMAN, etc.

HURRICANE

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I

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ICE SKATING

ILLNESS

IMAGE: how something is perceived; may be used for stereotypes, as of the HANDICAPPED; also used when story discusses a group or business as a whole.

INCREASE: story should, but not always, include statistics; not to be used for speculations; see also DECREASE.

INDICT: use when charges or arrests are made, or indictment is announced.; may use with any crime word.

INDUSTRY: for general stories; refers to types of manufacturing; may use with MOVIE, TELEVISION, MUSIC, MEDIA; contrast with BUSINESS.

INJURY: general and first reference; often used with ACCIDENT or DISASTER

INSECT

INSURANCE: use to filter out major stories.

INTERNATIONAL

INTERVIEW: principal names are added to the subject field.

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J

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JUDGE

JUVENILE: for legal aspects; under 18 years old.

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K

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KIDNAPPING$: crime word ... general stories only.

KIDNAPPING: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence; may be a hostage or false imprisonment

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L

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LABOR: use for organized movement; may be blue or white collar.

LAND: use only for major land issues, particularly where the environment is involved; not used where property is an issue.

LANDSCAPE

LANGUAGE: use to bring together various stories under one concept.

LAW: use for all levels of government; includes city / county ordinances

LAW ENFORCEMENT

LAWSUIT: concerning civil litigation

LEAD: the lead story for the daily business section, as well as the weekly Weekend section.

LEADER

LEGISLATION: use for bills being considered on a city, state or federal level

LEGISLATURE: Florida only; links both chambers together; may include conflicts over legislation

LIFESTYLE: a way of living, reflecting attitudes, preferences, etc.

LIST: use for any type of list or ranking, except lists of people, when NAMELIST is used; LIST is often used with RANKING.

LOCAL

LOGO

LOST: for everything except a person; MISSING is used for people

LOTTERY

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M

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MAGAZINE

MAJOR STORY: for the main story on the first day of a breaking story where more than one writer is filing; related stories for the day are labelled ARTICLE.

MAN: used to express males as a group; see also WOMAN

MANUAL

MARTIAL ARTS

MASS TRANSIT: restricted to general discussion of urban or inter-urban mass transportation; often used with CHANGE or ALTERNATIVE.

MEDIA: general stories about the communications media.; journalism, advertising, radio

MEDICAL

MEDICARE: use for major pieces only.

MEDICINE$: general profession, research, trends; prescription drugs; contrast with HEALTH.

MEDICINE: specific person or phenomenon, e.g. transplant patients.

MEMORIAL

MENTAL: use for health, behavior, court rulings

MERGER: includes take-overs, leveraged buy-outs, acquisitions, and buy-outs; can be used when a merger is discussed, not just formalized

MIDEAST: reference to the region; RELATION, CONFLICT, REBELLION

MILITARY: use as an adjective; contrast with civilian, compare with DEFENSE.

MINORITY: for general concept; for specific groups use BLACKS, HISPANICS, etc.

MISSING: as in person; see also LOST; NOT for prison escapes

MOUNTAIN

MOVIE: often used with REVIEW, AWARD, etc.

MULTIPLE: used with MURDER, ACCIDENT, DEATH, BIRTH.

MURDER$: crime word ... general discussion of

MURDER: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence; covers manslaughter, homocide, killings of all type; NOT for war deaths

MUSEUM

MUSIC: used with REVIEW, AWARD, etc.; recorded or live.

MUSICAL GROUP

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N

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NAMELIST: for lists of names.

NATIONAL

NUCLEAR: may use with ENERGY or WEAPON.

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O

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OBSCENITY$: general stories about obscenity and pornography; adult businesses

OBSCENITY: specific cases of obscenity and pornography; adult businesses; ALSO ... crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence for lewd and lascivious arrests where NO touching was involved

OIL: used instead of petroleum.

OFFICE: use when an office (e.g. St. Petersburg Mayor) is spoken of generally, as a discussion of duties and powers.

OLYMPIC: games sponsored by the International Olympic Committee. (see also SPORTS TERMS)

OPENING: use for businesses; compare with BEGIN.

ORGANIZED CRIME: crime word ... specific and general

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P

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PARADE

PARENT

PARK

PHOTOGRAPHY

PLANT

PLAY

POETRY

POLICE: specific or general; may find name of city, etc. in subject field.

POLITICS

POLLUTION: environmental; oceans, bays, etc.; see also CONTAMINATION

POOL

POPULATION: may use with STATISTIC; may be animals, people, though NOT schools; geographic name may appear in the subject field.

POVERTY: stories about the poor, general or specific

PRESS CONFERENCE: use if the story features a mass interview with the President, Governor or some other official; AFTER it has occurred

PRISON: includes jails; NOT used for escapes

PRO: for professional sports; contrast with SCHOOL and COLLEGE. (see also SPORTS TERMS)

PROBE: official investigation; may include police investigations

PROFILE: used if there is significant historical data about a business or non-profit group; may also use where a person or organization is the subject of the story in detail; may also use BIOGRAPHY

PROFESSION: discussion of an activity as a profession; may be blue or white collar

PROPOSED: use only for tangible objects, e.g. roads, bridges, stadiums.

PROTEST: includes demonstrations, organized boycotts, petition drives; NOT for individual statements such as hunger strikes

PUBLISHING

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Q

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QUOTE: important quotes only; name of person may appear in subject field

QUOTATIONS

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R

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RACE

RADIO

RAILROAD$: links general stories only; As of JANUARY 1995, this term is no longer in use.

RAILROAD: specific stories of accidents, derailments, etc.

RANKING: used often with LIST and NAMELIST.

RAPE

REACTION: may use in addition to MAJOR STORY; usually when a big story breaks.

REBELLION: armed conflict where the object is the overthrow of an existing government by rebels.

RECORD: used only when a record is established or if history is given; NOT for use with individual or team records (see also SPORTS TERMS)

RECREATION: links various topics of leisure activities; contrast with SPORT

* REFUGEES: individuals or groups fleeing a country for social, economic, war issues, etc.; may be specific or general

RELATION: for relations between nations and other places; geographic name may appear in subject field.

RELIGION: links various stories together.

REPORT: when results of research are announced

RESCUE: use when attempted or completed.

RESEARCH: may use with MEDICINE, etc.

RESTAURANT: may use with REVIEW, PROFILE, OPENING, CLOSING

RETIREMENT: general stories about lifestyle, economics, etc.; may use with social security stories

RESULT: final outcome of a process, e.g. used with ELECTION; may use with a SURVEY's findings

REVIEW: e.g. MOVIE, RESTAURANT, MUSIC, ART

RIOT

RIVER

ROAD: links various stories together.

ROBBERY$: crime word ... general stories.

ROBBERY: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

ROYALTY

RULING: court ruling in a civil lawsuit, within a criminal trial regarding terms of the trial; contrast with VERDICT.

RUNNING

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S

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SAFETY: links various stories

SALARY: used when specifics are given; personal name may appear in subject field.

SALE: used when sale is first announced, then when the deal is done; particularly when a dollar amount is given.

SCHEDULE: used when specific information is given.

SCHOOL: issues related to schools, school boards, safety, etc.; contrast with EDUCATION; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

SCIENCE: may be used with RESEARCH, CHANGE.

SENTENCE: court decision regarding punishment in a criminal case.

SEWAGE: waste matter which passes through sewers; treatment plants.

SEX: NOT criminal; physiologial function; may use with EDUCATION, TEEN, BEHAVIOR, etc.

SEX CRIME$: crime word ... general pieces on rape, sexual assault, molestations, prostitution; where touching is involved

SEX CRIME: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence; covers rape, sexual assault, prostitution, fondling; where touching is involved

SHIP$: use for general stories only; often used with INDUSTRY.

SHIP: may include boats, canoes, racing crafts, etc.

SHOOTING$: crime word ... general stories; may be used with STATISTIC.

SHOOTING: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

SIBLING

SIGN

SINKHOLE

SKIING

SKYLINE

SMUGGLING$: crime word ... general stories.

SMUGGLING: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence; may use with DRUG, WEAPON

SNOW

SOCCER

SOFTBALL

SPACE: links various stories together.

SPEECH: used for significant mention of; often used with TEXT; may add name in subject field.

SPORT: general; contrast with RECREATION; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

SPOUSE

STABBING$: crime word ... general discussion of

STABBING: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

STADIUM

STAMP

STATE: when specific state is important; may use with LEGISLATION, POPULATION, ENVIRONMENT, etc.

STATISTIC: used if significant numbers are given.

STRIKE: use with BEGIN, FINISH, LABOR, etc.; (see also SPORTS TERMS)

STUDENT

SUICIDE$: general stories only.

SUICIDE: specific cases and attempts; used only if proven.

SURGERY

SURVEY: use for polls

SUSPECT

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T

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TAX: brings together various stories; use with INCREASE, DECREASE only after such has occurred

TEACHER

TECHNOLOGY: specific or general, includes all computer related stories, information superhighway, etc.

TEEN: primarily social aspects, ages 13-19.

TELEVISION: use with REVIEW, AWARD, INDUSTRY, etc.

TENNIS

TERRORISM$: crime word ... general stories.

TERRORISM: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

TEXT: used only when verbatim text is published.

THEATER: used with REVIEW, AWARD, etc. in an arts sense; not for the building

THEFT$: crime word ... general discussion of

* THEFT: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

THIRD WORLD: used for general stories about underdeveloped nations.

TOMB

TORNADO

TOURISM: use for stories about the tourism industry.

TOURIST

TOURNAMENT

TOY

TRACK

TRADE: for international commerce; geographic name may be added in the subject field.

TRANSPORTATION

TRAVEL

* TRIAL: ongoing trial, from day one to verdict; used on EVERY trial story

TRIP: for major events such as the president or pope; may add name of person making the trip in the SU: field; NOT for travel stories

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U

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UNIDENTIFIED: as in MURDER, DEATH, etc.

UNION

UNUSUAL: adjective to mean strange or paranormal.

UTILITY

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V

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VANDALISM$: crime word ... general stories; may be used with STATISTIC.

VANDALISM: crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

VEHICLE$: general stories about cars, trucks, etc.

VEHICLE: use for specific stories; may use with ACCIDENT; use DEFECT with recalls

VERDICT: court ruling in a criminal case

VETERAN: use to filter out significant stories.

VICTIM

VIDEO

VIOLENCE: general, may use with TELEVISION, SCHOOL, etc.; also where mass violence occurs

VOLCANO

VOLLEYBALL

VOLUNTEER

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W

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WAR

WASTE: anything leftover, or superfluous, as excess material, byproducts; can include sewage, as well as

landfill, may be NUCLEAR, HAZARDOUS

WATER: use to identify significant stories on water for consumption.

WATERWAY: a river, canal, or other body of water as a route or way of travel or transport.; also for bays, ponds, etc.

WEAPON: where the weapon is significant as in NUCLEAR, SPACE; crime word ... first story, arrest, verdict, sentence

WEATHER: links together significant stories on climate; NOT for day-to-day forecasts

WEDDING

WEIGHTLIFTING

WELFARE: for government programs; includes Medicaid, food stamps, WIC program, etc.

WITNESS

WOMAN: stories about females as a group.

WOMEN

WORLD

WRESTLING

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Z

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ZONING: of or pertaining to the division of an area into zones.; Zones: an area or district in a city, town, or county under special restrictions as to the type of buildings that may be erected or type of occupancy; NOT for busing or redistricting.

St. Petersburg Times Keywords
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Text and Photo Database Enhancement Terms
SLA News Division Home

Originally posted 6-17-99.
Last Updated: 04/9/2001
Carolyn Edds
ufriverat@gmail.com