COPYREADIN
G
Copyreading – is the art of
arranging, correcting, and
selecting the quality and
types of article within the
acceptable journalistic
standard
It is just another word for
editing.
A copyreader is an specialist
who improves the story.
Copyreading Proofreading
Correcting Correcting
errors the errors
made made by the
typesetter
by the or
reporter printer
COPYREADING VS. PROOFREADING
Copyreading
Can be divided into two categories:
Content and Technical editing
Content editing concerns the correcting, verifying, and validating facts which include
interviews, figures and sources in the articles. Editors or copyreaders work to make sure
that the contents of the articles are correct and free from any forms of plagiarism and libel
suit.
Technical editing pertains to the physical make up of the article which involves subject-
verb agreement, spelling, correct punctuation marks, capitalization and syntax in the story.
Steps in copyreading:
1. Get an overview of the story.
2. Correct the grammar,
punctuation, spelling.
3. Verify the accuracy of facts and
determine whether the story
contains all essential
information.
4. Correct errors in lead facts,
proper subordination of details
and paragraphing.
5. Look out for editorializing, biases
and possible grounds for libel.
6. Write the headline
IMPORTANCE OF
COPYREADING
• Copyreading saves the publication and its writers from any errors
in content and form.
Credibility and reliability are very important for journalists. They are bounded
not to create wrong information and reporting, and are expected to
religiously write in a scholarly manner.
• Copyreading secures that articles are accurate, concise and clear.
People read newspaper because they want to be enlightened and be guided
on different issues, Hence, it is a grave mistake to mislead people, make
them confused, or worst, create commotion due to irresponsible write-ups.
IMPORTANCE OF COPYREADING
Copyreading develops
competent and better writers
if properly done.
Good writers always take
advantage to learn and hone
their craft. They absorb all the
knowledge and skills from the
people and experiences around
them.
Responsibilities of a
Copyreader
Edits errors in grammar (spelling tense,
subject-verb agreement, etc)
Edits errors in facts (accuracy check)
Judges news value (grading of news)
Edits wordy copy (keeps the copy tight)
Writes the headline if the needs arise
Must be well-read and updated on the
general and current information
Must be well versed on law of libel
Procedures in
Copyreading
Whenever the copyreader sits
down to work, he/she has the
intention of making the copy free
from errors. It is the goal of
copyreader, therefore, to do the
work systematically and efficiently.
1. Read the whole article first to
determine its kind of story.
Procedures in
Copyreading
2. Having the determined the type of
story, read the article again. This time,
determine the lead paragraph.
3. Read the story again and mark all
paragraph beginnings. Then, correct
errors in grammar, spelling,
punctuations and style using
copyreading symbols.
4. Improve the organization of the
story. Make sure that the lead features
the important facts.
Procedures in
Copyreading
5. Go over the whole story again.
Remove all unnecessary and irrelevant
materials.
6. Check the length of the story, then,
prepare the clean copy.
7. Write a very catchy and fitting
headline for the story.
8. Give the printer’s mark for the body
text and the headline. Encircle the slug
lines (if applicable).
9. The article is now ready for layouting.
THE COPYREADING
SYMBOLS
1. Punctuation Marks
Symbols Meaning Outcome
“The Emphasize “ The
Bionic quotes Bionic
Woman ” ( Lagyan Woman”
ng panipi)
Dr Arthur Emphasize Dr. Arthur
Cruz Jr period Cruz Jr.
(Lagyan ng
tuldok)
Punctuation Marks
Symbols Meaning Outcome
said , “ I Emphasize Said, “I
must go.” comma must go.”
(Lagyan ng
kuwit)
2. Numbers and Abbreviation
Symbols Meaning Outcome
in Nov Spell out in
.
(Isulat ng November
buo ang
salita)
Doctor
Arthur Cruz Abbreviate Dr. Arthur
Cruz
Numbers and Abbreviation
Symbols Meaning Outcome
twenty Use 20 boys
boys numeral
(Palitan ng
bilang)
Two girls
2 girls Spell out
(Palitan ng
salita)
3. Special forms of type
Symbols Meaning Outcome
Manila, Capitalize MANILA,
(Palitan ng Philippines
malaking
titik)
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
meet on Bridge over meet
Saturday Saturday
Close up
those b space those boys
oys (Pagtatang
gal ng
espasyo)
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
Fe Cruz Transpose Principal
Principal
(Paglilipat Fe Cruz
ng
magkalapit
na salita) receive
recieve Transpose
(Paglilipat
ng
magkalapit
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
h
pamlet insert pamphlet
letter
to (Pagsisingit
went ng titik) went to
market insert word market
(Pagsisingit
ng salita)
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
Manila Lower case manila
Paper (Palitan ng paper
maliit na
titik)
received Delete received
free gifts word gifts
(Pagtatang
gal ng
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
judgement Delete judgment
letter
develope within develop
skill Delete skill
letter
before/afte
r a word
(Pagtangga
l ng titik sa
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
the most Kill the
talented (Pagtatang principal
and gal ng mga
enthusiasti linya o
c principal mga
salita)
Allright All right we
wehave Insert have time
time space
4. Letters and word changes
Symbols Meaning Outcome
We were Run in
indeed very
happy
copy
because (Pagdugtu
ngin)
5. Others
Symbols Meaning Outcome
Paco, Indent for Paco,
Manila paragraph Manila
(Wastong
pasok ng
talataan)
Spell as Welfrido
written Kruz
Welfrido (Pagpapan
5. Others
Symbols Meaning Outcome
stet
One boy Restore One boy
came text came
(Pagpapan
atili)
Elected Elected
prexy Center prexy
subhead
(Pagpapagi
5. Others
Symbols Meaning Outcome
No new
Bantamweight paragraph
champion in
getting a job. New
He said paragraph
the un-
Syllabicate finished task
(Wastong
the unf- pagpapantig) the gong
inished task set in boldface
(Pagpapaitim
the gong ng tipo)
5. Others
Symbols Meaning Outcome
She read Set in Italics Les
Les (Limbagin Miserables
Miserables ng pahilis)
Story is
finished
30 or # (Pagwawaka
s)
more or pa Story is
unfinished
(May
Thank you for
listening
