COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITING

Copyreading is much like the work of a communication arts teacher correcting compositions, except
that he uses different symbols.

A copy may be a news item, an editorial, a feature story or any literary article.

Duties of a copyreader:
1. Straighten out ungrammatical construction
2. Shorten sentences and tighten paragraphs
3. See that the paper’s style requirements are strictly followed. Check names, addresses, title,
designations, identifications, figures, etc.
4. Rewrite the story completely if it is poorly written
5. Rewrite the lead or the first few paragraphs whenever necessary, but must never tamper
with the facts unless he/she is sure of his/her corrections.
6. Delete all opinion, speculations, and statements on news which are without attributions or
sources.
7. Watch out for slanting or any attempt to present the story in a subtly biased way
8. Watch for libelous statements
9. Recheck figures and totals
10. Cross-out the adjectives in news which tend to make a story sound over-written
11. Cut a story to size or to the required length if necessary.
12. Check attributions and see to it that they are properly identified
13. Challenge facts, claims, or reports when they sound anomalous, illogical, and incredible
14. Check sluglines and paging sequences
15. Write headlines
What to copyread

1. Errors in fact
2. Errors in grammar
3. Errors in structure
4. Errors in style
5. Libelous and derogatory statements
6. Seditious and rebellious matter
7. Expressions contrary to law and good taste
8. Opinion and editorializing statements
9. Verbal deadwood, redundancy
10. Technical terms, slang, jargons
***
Copyreading Symbols
(NOTE: THE SYMBOLS ARE NOT PRINTED HERE DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES,
BUT INTERESTED PARTIES MAY EMAIL THE JOT BLOG ADMINISTRATOR
AT h_lagon@yahoo.com SO THE ACTUAL LIST OF SYMBOLS WILL BE EMAILED TO
YOU FRESH AND UNADULTERATED.)
1. Punctuation Marks
Symbols Meaning Outcome
The Bionic Woman Emphasize quotes “The Bionic Woman”
Dr Arthur Cruz Jr Emphasize periods Dr. Arthur Cruz Jr.
said “I must go.” Emphasize comma said, “I must go.”
2. Numbers and Abbreviations
in Nov. Spell out in November
Doctor Arthur Cruz Abbreviate Dr. Arthur Cruz
twenty boys Use numeral 20 boys
2 girls were… Spell out Two girls were…
3. Special form of type
Manila, philippines Capitalize MANILA, Philippines
4. Letter and word changes
meet on Saturday Bridge over meet Saturday
those b oys Close up space those boys
Fe Cruz Principal Transpose Principal Fe Cruz
recieve Transpose receive
pamplet Insert letter pamphlet
went market Insert word went to market
Manila pAper Lower case Manila paper
received free gifts Delete word received gifts
judgement Delete letter within judgment
develope iskill Delete before/after word develop skill
the most talented and Kill the principal
enthusiastic principal
Allright we have time Insert space All right we have time
We were indeed very Run in copy We were indeed very
happy because happy because…
5. Others
Paco, Manila… Indent for paragraph Paco, Manila…
Today he will… Today he will…
Welfrido Cruz Spell as written Welfrido Kruz
One boy came Restore text; disregard On boy came
correction
Elected prexy Center subhead Elected prexy
the un Syllabicate the un-
finished task finished task
The gong Set in boldface the gong
She read Les Miserables Set in italics She read Les Miserables
30 or # Story is finished
more or ) Story is unfinished
(…2) Next page
# - folio copy See copy as written
Note: To arrange paragraphs just place the number (e.g. #1, #3) of the corresponding
paragraphs in the left portion of the copy.