Lesson 4.2 Finals Exercise Comm 14

Name: ____________________________________________ Exercise 1: Correct the article using the copy-editing symbols.

PROOFREADER’S MARKS Because newspaper galey proofs are narrow. compared to book proofs, a simplified system off marks is possible. These symbols should not be confused with those used in editing copy In marking proofs two basic marks are made for each error: (a) a pencil line running from the point of the error and (b) a correction at the end of thta line. Corrections should be made in margins at right or left of the error, exactly opposite the type line in which the error occurs. If there are two errors in a line, corrections should be made in the margin nearest each. In no case should the penciled lines cross. Correction should be so neatly made that the compositor will waste no time reading them. Wrong front letters should be reported to the composing room foreman immediately. No proofreading is properly dene without comparing copy with proof. If several lines are omitted by the compositor, return copy to him and mark “See Copy’ at the point of the “leave out.”

Proofreaders should a-l-e-r-t-l-y watch for Errors in end-ofline word divisions, substitutions of words, omissions of letters or words, transpositions, and errors in fact. fact errors should be reported to the copy copy desk. Editing on proof is expensive and, when done, should be done by the copy desk. Sometimes words can be jug gled in 2 lines enough to avoid resetting a paragraph. In checking a page proof, look particularly for headline errors, wrong heads over stories, transposed cutlines, errors and in date lines. Proofs should be read promptly to prevent necessity for railroading – using type before corrections are inserted.

PUBLICATION AND EDITING (COMM 14) LESSON 4: FINALS PART III: INSIDE THE PUBLICATION Role of the Copyeditor Copyediting Symbols Editing Stories

Roles of the Copyeditor














Improving copy by making dull or verbose copy interesting and concise. Correcting errors of grammar, spelling and style in all copy, including informational graphics. Correcting errors of fact and emphasis. Judging news value. Guarding against libel and other legal problems. Protecting and enhancing the publication’s reputation and image. Writing headlines that summarize stories and capture readers’ attention. Selecting, cropping and sizing photographs and other art. Writing illustration captions. Using computer codes to designate the headline and body type, style, size, width and leading. Laying out pages. Exercising news judgment. Keeping up with the newest technology.

Characteristics of a good copy editor









Confidence Objectivity Awareness Intelligence Questioning nature Diplomacy Ability to write Sense of humor

EDITING STORIES Copy editors must remember to pay attention not only to spelling, grammar, punctuation and style but also to basic reporting techniques, such as:



Is the story balanced, accurate and fair Are there any legal or ethical implications








Is the lead appropriate and not buried later in the story Does the story contain the essence of the event or issue and does it leave information holes or gaps Has the writer developed the story structure properly Does the reporter understand numbers or statistics, attribute information and use direct quotations correctly Does the story contain redundancies or superfluous information

Editing Leads Facts for lead: 1. At a city council meeting tonight (Tuesday) in San Diego, council members voted unanimously to put a bond issue on next month’s election ballot. 2. The bond issue will ask voters for authority to sell $33 million in bonds. 3. Proceeds from the bonds would be used to finance a performing arts complex for San Diego. Plans reviewed by the city council depict an impressive facility with two theaters, one seating 2,600 people and the other 400. Everyone is excited about the prospect for such a complex. 4. The mayor, a woman named Frances Howard, said following the council’s vote: “I’ve lived in San Diego all my life, and this is the most exciting civic opportunity I’ve seen. If the good citizens of San Diego will build this center, we will become known far and wide as the biggest supporters of the arts in the state.”

Bear in mind the news elements: timeliness, proximity, prominence, unusualness, human interest, conflict. 1. WHEN (Tuesday night or next month) - which is the most important? 2. WHO (city council and voters who will be affected by the action), WHAT 3. WHERE – not relevant because there was no location included in the set of facts and the editor assumes that the story is local. 4. WHY 5. HOW – not included in the set of facts, is usually left for later in the story Which of the answers are most important in the report?


For the copy editor, the task is to balance the desire to satisfy the reader’s need for clear and concise information with the reporter’s right to write the story in a distinct, personal style.

Including Essential Information


Accuracy in numbers Percentage/Percent % increase of decrease = New figure – Original figure Original Figure

Ages Box scores Informational graphics Property taxes


Reporting Survey Results Who conducted the survey? Who paid for the survey? Who was interviewed for the survey? How were people selected to be interviewed? What was the margin of sampling error for this particular survey? How was the survey conducted? When was the poll conducted? What questions were asked during the interviews, and what was the order of questions?





Accuracy in word usage Eliminating redundancies Resigned her position in order to replenish her financial resources - quit to make more money Minimize aircraft’s engine capability problems – fix the plane’s engine.

Editing Story Structure



Inverted pyramid Using transitions Transitional techniques – chronology, journey and problem solving Repeating a key word of the preceding paragraph Using a synonym to refer to a key word in the preceding paragraph Referring to a fact or idea in the preceding paragraph Elaborating details in logical sequence

Using words and phrased as transitional devices To show time: then, meanwhile, shortly, thereafter, now, later, soon, all this time, formerly, previously, at last, finally To cite examples: for instance, thus, for example, to illustrate, an illustration To indicate emphasis: indeed, moreover, in particular, especially, in addition to, similarly, furthermore To show change of viewpoint: however, but, nevertheless, of course, also, seriously, in another way, in a lighter view, in addition, in general, on the other hand




Handling quotations Shortening stories – estimating story length Editing with precision Trimming Boiling Cutting