copyreading basics in journalism

1. COPYREADING
This is the process of
editing a story before it is
published, spanning correcting
the tiniest grammar errors and
fixing big-picture flaws such as
factual inconsistencies and

2. WHY COPYREADING/COPYEDITING
IS IMPORTANT IN A PUBLICATION ?
Copyediting makes sure a piece of
writing accurate, clear and correct. It's
the step that gets a text ready to publish.
Specifically, depending on the publication, it
involves most or all of the following: Checking
the facts (names, dates, time, past events,
etc.)

3. A well-edited paper saves the paper from criticism and
the editors from libel suits and embarrassment. Finally, it
helps the newspaper bring accurate information

4. Things to Discuss:
Copy reading Symbols
Headlining
Headline Styles
Unit Counting in Headlines
Printer’s Direction
Slugline
Format
Guide for Printer’s Direction
Steps in Copyreading
Tips

5. Copyreading Symbols
1. Punctuation marks
Example: .
Dr . Arthur Cruz Jr .
(Emphasize period) Dr . Arthur Cruz Jr .
Outcome: Dr. Arthur Cruz Jr.

6. 2. Numbers and abbreviations
Examples:
In Nov.
Spell out ( in November)
Twenty boys
 Use Numeral (20 boys)

7. 3. Special form of type
Example:
Reader’s Digest
(Change to Italics) Reader’s Digest
4. Letter and word changes
Example:
Manila pAper
(Lower Case) manila paper

8. 5. Others
Example:
Paco, Manila
Today, he will
(indent for Paragraph)
Paco, Manila
Today, he will

9. Headlining
A copy reader goes over the story once to get a general idea of what
it is all about. This will likewise help him formulate the headline, which is part
of his job.
Why Headlining is important?
If your headline is interesting and catchy readers will be interested also to read
the article. Headline will give an impression of your article to the reader.

10. POSSIBLE WAYS IN WRITING A HEADLINE
Subject-verb-object
Posibleng bagyo binabantayan ng PAGASA
Quoted headline
‘Botante takot sa COVID-19’

11. Headline Styles
 All caps
PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DO AWAY
WITH PERIODIC EXAMS-DEPED
Cap and lower case (CIc)
Public Schools To Do Away
With Periodic Exams-DepEd
Downstyle (ds)
Public schools to do away
with periodic exams-DepEd

12. Unit Counting in Head
LETTERS
Small
½ unit – j i l t f
1 ½ units – m w
1 unit – remaining letters
Capital
1 unit – J I L T F
2 units – M W
1 ½ units - REMAINING
½ unit - . , : ; ! ‘
1 unit – 0-9,? $ P % - (space)
1 ½ units – em dash (--)

13. Printers Direction
Use to indicate style, font, column, the unit counts
Example:
1/Arial B./24pts/4col./56UC
fl , ds
SUS, binigyang diin ang pagpapalawig ng FOI sa mga kampus

14. Slug Line
seems like a summary/a glimpse on what you copyread
Example:
Balita
FOI
LJ S
04-13-20
p.2

16. Steps in Copyreading
1. Read and understand the article
2. Copy edit
3. Provide headline
4. Unit count
5. Printer’s direction (for headline)
6. Printer’s direction (for body)
7. Slug line
8. Read it agin