SUB-EDITING

Sample Assessment Material

Time allowed
Three hours

Instructions
• Write the question number next to each answer in your answer booklet.
• You are not required to rewrite the question in your answer booklet.
• Ensure that you pay particular attention to words in bold.

Information
• Different questions may carry a different number of marks.
• Marks for each question are shown in [ ].

Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Use the full time permitted and check all your answers.

Materials
• Notes or books are not permitted.
• Non-programmable calculators are permitted.

© INSTITUTE OF COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT

 ANSWER FIVE QUESTIONS FROM EIGHT

1. Explain the actions of a copy taster arriving at work on a small tabloid evening
paper. [20 marks]

2. Describe the skills and tasks of a sub editor. [20 marks]

3. (a) Name the two sorts of news pictures and their main function. [4 marks]
(b) Describe the hazards and related features of each. [16 marks]

4. Discuss the main points of handling story sequence in the paragraphs

following an introduction. [20 marks]

5. Discuss the role of each of the following when writing headlines:

(a) Symbols [5 marks]
(b) Word accuracy [5 marks]
(c) Headline punctuation [5 marks]
(d) Headline abbreviations [5 marks]

6. (a) Describe the role and main duties of a ‘legal reader’. [17 marks]
(b) Name the three most obvious legal dangers facing the sub editor. [3 marks]

7. (a) Discuss the importance of focal points in page design. [15 marks]
(b) Describe how this is affected by the type of newspaper? [5 marks]

8. Describe the main sources of copy for features. [20 marks]

END OF QUESTIONS