Editorial Writing PDF

It can be added further that a good editorial must: 1) lead logically to a conclusion, Editorial Writing 2) present only one idea,...

It can be added further that a good editorial must: 1) lead logically to a conclusion, Editorial Writing 2) present only one idea, 3) avoid wordiness, and 4) present facts and not mere opinion. WRITING THE EDITORIAL Functions of an Editorial Writer Editorial Defined Explaining the news An editorial is the official stand of the paper on a relevant Filling the background development or issue. It is a personal commentary Forecasting the future written by the editor who comments or gives the news- Passing moral judgment written by the editor who comments or gives the newspaper’s or the staff’s opinion about various aspects Types of Editorials on an issue which is of interest and importance to the The kind of editorial to be written depends upon the public. It is a critical interpretation of significant, usually purpose of the writer – whether to inform, contemporary events so that the readers will be interpret, criticize, commend, argue or entertain. These informed, influenced, or entertained. It is the stand of are explained as follows: the paper, not of an individual editor. 1. Editorial of information – It seeks to give information Some authors give other definitions or explanations on facts unknown to the reader. It restates the facts of regarding editorials: news stories or adds other facts with minimum An editorial is an article in a newspaper giving explanation. It may define terms, identify persons or the editor’s view or thoseof the person or factors or provide a background; e.g., Freedom of the persons in control of the paper. – A. Gayle Press. Waldrop It is the expression of the people’s conscience, Example: The Need for Population Education cause, and convictions. – Joseph Pulitzer Poverty, high cost of living, school crisis, lack of job opportunities confront common people. The modern editorial includes analyses and Millions of children are victims of under- clarifications, sometimes with no opinion given. – Arthur Capper nourishment and deficiency diseases that shorten their life and harm their mental development. Due to The editorial should provide the background in the failure of parents to send all their children to which the facts are seen in a new perspective school, illiteracy rates are high and are still and should express its opinion. – Rufus Terral increasing. Bitterness, bias, and fear have no place in an Many of us have these problems. But very editorial. They make for weakness no matter few are aware that excessive population growth is how much they bluster. – William Allan White responsible for these pressures as well as for the It is a presentation of facts and opinion in a lowering of the quality of human resources and concise, logical manner, or of interesting development, especially as regards educational significant news in such a way that its standards. importance to the average reader will be clear. – The inclusion of Population Education in the M. Lyle Spencer school curriculum is then the answer to the need of the younger crop who are bound to face the reality Characteristics of a Good Editorial of parenthood in the near future. Reddick gives three qualities of a good editorial: Basic cultural values concerning the 1) interest, 2) brevity, and 3) force. individual, his family, the society, and the nation can Spears and Lawshe, on the other hand, characterize an be effectively brought in to the extent desired editorial as one that: through population education. 1) must have clearness of style Finally, creating an awareness about 2) has moral purpose population is a challenge that Philippine education 3) has sound reasoning, and has to face right now. For time is against us. And 4) has the power to influence public opinion. time-wasting is resource-wasting. Campus Journalism This idea will help in adopting a small family 1 norm and will insure good health for the mother, better welfare of the children, 2. Editorial of interpretation – It explains the significance 6. Editorial of entertainment – It evokes a smile, a or meaning of a news event, current idea, condition, or chuckle, laughter, while suggesting truth. Its main aim is situation, theory, or hypothesis. The writer doesn’t argue to entertain. It is usually short; e.g., Miniskirt, Anyone? nor criticize, but merely presents both sides of an issue and leaves the judgment to the reader. It merely 7. Mood editorial – It present a philosophy rather than interprets, say for example, the content of a new an argument or an explanation. Oftentimes, the subject memorandum issued by the principal; e.g., Freedom of matter is nature or emotion; e.g., those Wonderful the Press: Two Schools of Thought. People Called Parents. 8. Special occasion – It explains the significance of a Example: Attitude Towards Study special day or occasion; e.g., The Significance of We are in school because we want to Christmas, Au Revoir. learn. Our study is for our own benefit and not to accommodate someone else. As such we have to There is another kind of editorial known as a pooled relate it to our own aims or ambitions in life. editorial. This is written by two or more editors belonging We should not think of study merely in to different newspapers which they publish in their terms of quizzes, recitations, homework, term respective papers at the same time; e.g., Stop Tuition Fee papers and reports. Putting a valuation upon it in Increase. terms of five, ten or twenty years from now will give it more meaning to us. How to Write an Editorial The facts, ideas, and principles we acquire In writing the editorial, select only one specific idea to now are the stuff with which we will do our develop. Be sure the topic is of interest to the reader. thinking in the future. Let’s remember, too, that Organize your editorial in three parts: how we learn is sometimes more important than 1) the introduction, what we learn. An efficient working method will 2) the body, and serve us throughout life, but many of the things 3) the ending. we learn will just be forgotten. Being systematic about study will do a lot. Habit then comes to our The Beginning: Editorial Lead aid. The editorial lead, like in the news story, is the With just a few weeks to go before classes showcase of the write-up. However, it is not end, we hope these few reminders will result to a considered the heart of the story unlike in the better attitude towards study. news. The heart could be in the middle or at the end, depending upon the whims and style of the editorial writer. 3. Editorial of criticism – It points out the good or the bad Remember that it must contain enough “sparks” features of a problem or situation mentioned in the to urge the readers to read the whole article. A news. Its purpose is to influence the reader. It suggests flat, dull and dragging lead will readily turn a solution at the end, e.g., School Administration Not readers away. Sincere in Press Freedom Promise It does not have to follow the traditional five W’s and one H. 4. Editorial of commendation, appreciation, or tribute – The editorial writer has more freedom to display It praises, commends, or pays tribute to a person or his creativity than the news writer in the writing organization that has performed some worthwhile of the lead. projects or deeds, or accomplishments; e.g., Laurels to Barangay Dance Troupe. The lead may also contain the newspeg with the reaction. It is usually one short paragraph. (A newspeg is 5. Editorial of argumentation – This is oftentimes called a brief statement about the news event at issue upon editorial of persuasion. l the editor argues in order to which the editorial is based). convince or persuade the reader to accept his stand on the issue; e.g., Freedom of the Press Not Violated. Campus Journalism 2 The opening statement of the lead must be brief. It may The Conclusion consist only of the news on which the editorial is based, The last part drives home the final important thought or or the topic or problem to be taken up. It may be: direction. This conclusion may be in the form of advice, Emphatic statement or maxim challenge, command or just a rounding out or a simple ex. The law might be harsh, but it is the law. summary. A striking statement about the topic. Here are some typical last paragraphs: ex. Patriot, orator, lawyer, martyr – that was Jose Abad Proverb Santos. ex. Savage sentences ought to be deplored. But there is A quotation only safe rule to follow when travelling abroad. When in ex. “Time is gold,” so the saying goes. Rome, do as the Romans do. “Education is the best provision for old age.” Such Quotations were the words of Greek Philosopher Aristotle. ex. A book by Dennise and Ching Ping Bloodworth offers Narration us an insight into the ways of statecraft. We think this ex. October saw a long and heated debate in the quotation from the book a timely reminder: “…A country Constitutional Convention Hall which resulted in the or a party should form a vertical ‘united front’ with passing of a resolution lowering the voting age from 21 enemies who can be liquidated later, in order to be able to 18. to destroy the enemy who must be liquidated now.” An order Advice ex. Go out and vote. ex. We must always be on the guard against these A question lawless elements. ex. Remember the legend of the poinsettia and the story Comparison of the sanctuary bells? ex. Other countries were able to save their forests by Poetic buying our exported logs. For a few thousand dollars, we ex. In the darks depths of man’s labyrinth of fears may are practically selling them the environs of future lie hidden a ray of hope which man, in his despair over generations of Filipinos. other problems, may have overlooked. Contrast Prophecy ex. Societal reforms cannot, indeed, make headway if ex. If nothing is done, we will wake up one day to find more privileges are piled up for a few while the great that there are not enough schools for our children. majority of the population become mere onlookers. Reaction Crusading ex. Never has the government been so concerned with ex. Get out and vote! labor as it is now. Argumentative Mixture of facts and opinion ex. We therefore urge the police, the local governments, ex. It is encouraging to note that students would rather the BAI, and the courts to crack down hard on dog take active part in school affairs than remain onlookers. thieves. In the old American West, horse thieves are A news peg lynched. We are not advocating the same punishment ex. This year’s NCEE results in VHS need looking into. for dog thieves but they should be treated as criminals, not as mere pranksters. If we don’t, our moral values will Note: The exact type of lead to use depends certainly go to the dogs. upon the nature and purpose of the editorial. Formal and the standard form Usually it is best to state briefly the situation that ex. We hope it is not too late. It is about time the proper stimulates the editorial. steps are taken. Conclusion ex. With these improvement programs, the people of The Body Manila and suburbs are assured of good water supply The body should include the editorial’s basic facts, the and efficient service. causes and effects behind incidents, situations, illustrations and arguments. The body may take two or WRITING EDITORIAL COLUMNS three short paragraphs that support or justify the Purpose of the Editorial Column reaction. The ending, sometimes called the clincher, To form or help to form public opinion summarizes the editorial’s stand. To inform, interpret and fiscalize Campus Journalism 3  Other Purposes of the Column: but with a more serious purpose. He uses much 1. To explain the news the same technique as the gossip columnist but a. Giving the background of an event. rises above the chatterbox variety of news to b. Determining whether a certain event is an isolated poke into the activities of the “men who make case or part of the pattern. the decisions.” The “victims” are usually the c. Pointing out how an event will affect (or not affect) government’s leader-politicians, congressmen, his readers. senators, Cabinet officials, titans of industry and d. Pooling together and assessing comments of readers commerce, and institutions which have to do from the different segments of society. with national international affairs. The e. Presenting fairly the ideas in a controversy. columnist’s “pipelines” to sources of information 2. To entertain the readers often give him the ability to “forecast” news before it happens, bare still unannounced plans Form of Writing Used in Columns and appointments, reveal “secret pacts,” and lay Types of editorial column according to content: bare the secrets of government and finance 1. The “opinion” column (also called the “signed open to public scrutiny. editorial column”) – Resembles an editorial in form but, in contrast with the editorial’s CARTOONING impersonal and anonymous approach, carries the personal, stamp of the writer’s own ideas. (I An editorial cartoon is an editorial page illustration hesitate to use a local example, thus a safe one expressing opinion and interpretation. The word cartoon is Walter Lippman’s “Today and Tomorrow.”) is derived from two words: caricature and lampoon. 2. The hodge-podge column – Where the author lumps together odds and ends of information, a poem here, an announcement there, a point paragraph, a modernized proverb, a joke, or an interesting quotation. 3. The essay column (increasingly rare) – Is a legacy from a more leisurely age when writers could sit and scribble and muse in light or purple prose. (The exponents of this form were Addison and Steele of the famed Spectator papers, Charles Lamb, Oliver Goldsmith, G.K. Chesterton, and Christopher Morley. The Filipino columnist who best approximated this type was Godofredo A caricature is an Rivera of the Graphic. exaggerated description, generally by sketching. It 4. The gossip column – Caters to the inherent is a pictorial interest of human beings in human beings. representation of a Unfortunately, the reader’s eyes light up more person or thing in which a frequently when they spy the vices rather than defect or peculiarity is the virtues of others. The society columnists (as exaggerated so as to well as the otherwise sober ones who produce a ludicrous occasionally dabble in small talk) chronicle here effect. the facts and foibles of the great and near-great, the social climbers, and the true celebrities. The A lampoon, on the other hand, is a piece of malicious first example that comes to mind is Walter writing, a personal written satire that attacks and Winchell and his “keyhole” journalism. ridicules. It can also be described as a subtle attack presented humorously. 5. The dopester’s column – Written by the columnist who also has his eye to the keyhole Campus Journalism 4 An editorial cartoon also performs any of the three functions of the newspress – to inform, influence, or entertain. Editorial cartoon of Panay News last March16, 2020 THINGS TO LOOK FOR: Aseanews cartoon last January 04, 2018 Symbolism Stereotyping Editorial cartoon can also be characterized as: Exaggeration It is an illustration expressing opinion and Humor interpretation. Analogy It is also called a “wordless editorial”. Technical Skills It may or may not be a complement of the editorial. It serves the function of the editorial and the other Symbolism samples: contents of the op-ed pages: to present an opinion dove – peace on an issue. typewriter – press P-DU30 – government A good cartoon appeals to the reader’s sense of humor crocodile – corruption in order to persuade him to accept an opinion; an blindfolded lady with weighing scales –justice effective social force. A cartoon like the top editorial, Juan dela Cruz – Filipino masses deals with only a single idea and is about political and social conditions and problems. Some cartoons are Stereotyping samples: good–natured and humorous; others are serious and mother – with apron sophisticated. government official – wearing barong the poor – worn-out clothes Cartoon ideas cover a wide range of subjects. Some may be: Technical skills needed: Inspirational – e.g., the school represented as a mother Use of technical tools (pencil, pen and ink) taking care of her children Shading Shadowing Satirical – e.g., the embarrassment of having girls wear miniskirt in the classroom. Suggestion for Cartooning Correctional – e.g., problems involving people taking should deal with only one topic prohibited drugs. should limit the use of words and labels should use universal symbols i.e., easily understood even by ordinary reader should be original should not defame nor expose a person or object to hatred, ridicule, or contempt. Campus Journalism 5  TIPS FOR CARTOONING Take a side. Are you for or against a certain issue? WEEK NO: 13-14 Use facial expressions and emotions. Sports Writing Use universal symbols, those which can be understood at once by your intended reader. Do not clutter your cartoon with unnecessary Sports Writing details or complicate your drawing with artistic touches. According to study, 95% of male readers read the Use shading to make your article more sports page; convincing. Have only one light source. In the Philippines, basketball games generate so Draw your cartoons in landscape. much interest that sports pages cannot be without Have your own style. Do not copy or plagiarize. them. Read, read and read. Remember: the editorial Most often, the readers are interested to read- cartoonist is not just an artist. You are also a human interest stories and write-ups about their JOURNALIST. favorite sports personalities or sports heroes. “If a newspaper were a living thing, as I think Sports writing is it is, its news content may be the lifeblood, the FUN, but it also hard ont page may be its face but its editorials – its work. The writer must criticism and commentary – are its very soul. impart to the reader And when the editorials are flabby, the drama and complacent or irresponsible, then the excitement he sees in newspaper has lost its soul – and also its the fields. character.” The manner of reporting athletic events varies with - John B. Oakes, New York Times the sport. One thing is certain: sports writing is livelier because the writer deals with physical motion and action. Qualities of a Good Sports Writer Aside from a working knowledge of the medium he is going to use in writing his story, the sports writer should also have the following know-how: ✓ Must know sports: rules, strategy, team and players’ records. ✓ Must attend the games or meets as a reporter, not as a spectator or cheerer. References: ✓ Must know coaches and players as intimately as Estrada, Eufemia C. & R.P. Nem Singh (1987). Basic Journalism, possible. Manila, Philippines: National Bookstore, Inc. ✓ Must observe accuracy. ✓ Must be able to take notes quickly without losing the Malinao, A. (2008). Feature, Editorial and Opinion Writing. sequence of the play. Mandaluyong City: National Bookstore ✓ Must be fair and unbiased in reporting, even though he has a favorite team. ✓ Must not make comments without supporting them with facts on which they are based, although sports writers have more freedom than any other news writers. ✓ Must use the specialized language of the particular sports that he is reporting. Campus Journalism 6 ✓ Must avoid sports slang and trite expressions which before the start of the game. Should see both sides in hack writers use today. He should tell the story in action, lot of background information so could make plain, factual terms, that describe the action. certain predictions. ✓ Must bear in mind that he writes for his readers and 6. FOLLOW-UP STORIES not for himself. - furnish post- mortem analyses. They may discuss the condition of players injured or the psychological aspects of the game; or they may take up statistics and their VARIOUS TYPES OF SPORTS: significance. Horse Racing - Basketball Table tennis - Volleyball 7. THE SPORTS COLUMN Archery - Lawn Tennis - written from the angle of the reporter’s opinion. Baseball - Badminton However, the writer should confine himself to fair and Wrestling - Car Racing constructive comments. He may call attention to the Chess - Boxing performance of certain athletes. If he wants to make Bowling - Track and Field Events predictions, these must be kept within the limits of Cycling - Fencing probability. Football - Golf Swimming - Water Polo and other WRITING THE SPORTS COVERAGE types of games The sportswriter must always be punctual in covering sports events so as not to miss the sidelights during TYPES OF SPORTS REPORTING the opening of the game. 1. PLAY-BY-PLAY ACCOUNT The reporters need to gather the reaction of the - demands close observation and ability to work at top crowds and the cheers of the many competing teams speed. Knowledge of the game is necessary. Sportswriter or groups and the members of the team as well as the should know the rules, and all the details regarding the supporters. players, past records, officials, and plays. The reporter must get the following facts for his in depth sports story: 2. LEAD STORIES - centering on the highlights and more important plays 1. The score of outcome (Who won? Should it end only such as scoring, plays, the crucial games and the star in a tie? A riot or be called off on account of performers of both teams, especially in newspapers heavy rain, the outcome is always important for where there is not much space for playby-play reports. the readers.) 3. BRIEF SPORTS STORIES 2. significance of the outcome ( Was the - center on straight news reporting, but with a sports championship at stake? Do team standings flavor. Stressed the score, winner, outstanding incidents, change? Who gets the cup?) and how the outcome of the game affects the season’s standing of the teams or individual players. 3. spectacular plays ( Tell about the last minute fumble, the three-bag that won the game or the 4. SPORTS FEATURES basket from mid-court.) - help brighten up the sports page. Have broader range of subject matter. Greater freedom of presentation, and 4. weather conditions (If outdoor, Mud, sunshine, the writers can use the creative approach. heat, cold or wind may be important) 5. ADVANCE SPORTS STORIES 5. size of spectators ( Don’t forget the spectators. - give backgrounders, some unusual and exciting games Was it a record crowd? How did the spectators the teams have played before games. May report the behave?) records of the teams or individual players in the current season, their physical and mental condition. May touch 6. individual stars (Who were the stars and how did also on lineups, playing styles, crowd situations, they star) statements by coaches, odds, other interests, and angles. Must talk with the coaches and players of the team Campus Journalism 7  7. comparison of the team (How did the weights Examples: compare? Were the visitors better trained? In 1. The Aquino NHS sluggers bombed the Marcos NHS what departments of the game did the winners batters with six runs in the third inning to subdue a excel? Where were the losers weak?) nerve-fuzzling Marcos rally 14-12 as they clinched the invitation games here in connection with the celebration of Sports Week. 2. Foreign Philippine masters champion George Olayber birdied two of the last three holes for a four-under par 67 yesterday and a one stroke lead over Robert Pactolerin in the opening round of the P500,000 Philip Morris Long Golf Classic. PARTS OF A NEWS STORY c. The Outstanding Player Lead- It features a favorite, Because a sports report is news, it must have the part of outstanding player. It is sometimes called the hero of the a news story namely, the headline, the lead, and the game lead. body. Examples: 1. HEADLINE- Use the appropriate sports lingo. 1. Warner Cruz of SKSU, after Don’t forget the total score. almost four hours of battle over the chessboard copped the Undesirable: Mindanao State University softball most coveted YMCA trophy players defeat Holy Trinity College softball after outwitting SKEI chesser players. Christian Manuel in 27 moves of a Sicilian defense. Preferred: MSU sluggers rips HTC batters, 15-5 2. Ace Striker Rossel Filamer slotted home the priceless 2. THE LEAD- Like any other news reports, a sports marker that lifted that multi-titled Kiwanis Team over story has a lead and a body or text. The sports lead is the hard-fighting Cebuana Lhuiller 1-0 to capture the Fourth attention getter- the news in a nutshell. It uses sports Cong. Pax Mangudadatu Football Cup before a big lingo and contains the total score of the game. enthusiastic crowd at the Sultan Kudarat Gymnnasium in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. The sports lead may be one of the following: a. The Classic “5 W’s” c. The Analytical Lead- The outcome of the game is the b. The Key Play Lead result of a particular key plan in action -Analyze the c. The Outstanding Player Lead, and game. What made a certain team win? What advantages d. The Analytical Approach Lead has it over the loser? What techniques did they use? Examples: a. The Classic 5 Ws Lead- It answers 1) Who won?, 2) 1. Riding high on sizzling spikes and tricky placings, the Against whom?, 3) By what score?, 4) Where?, 5) When? NDDU netters blasted RMMC And 6) How? killers in the crucial third set to win Examples: 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 in the Inter- 1. PCCM poured 10 baskets in the last three minutes to Collegiate Meet, September 21 at edge out the SMC, 65-63 at the opponents homeground the Acharon Sports Complex to yesterday afternoon. celebrate the Education Month. 2. The Philippines fought with steel nerves and refused 2. Pumped-up Purefoods played to be crushed by a giant’s 55 points might to rip favored solid defense to frustrate Diet North Korea, 97-96 in its biggest triumph yesterday in the Sarsi, 115-105 last night and arrange a winner-take all, Asian basketball tournament. Sunday for the PBA All Filipino Conference crown at the Ultra. b. The Key Play Lead- It starts with the most exciting parts of the game where a certain team scores more points. Campus Journalism 8 3. The BODY- After the lead comes the body composed of the other elements arranged in descending order or decreasing importance. WEEK NO: 15 – 16 If it were a basketball story, report it quarter by Headlining and Copyreading quarter; if a volleyball story, set by set of frame by frame; if a softball/baseball story, inning by inning; if boxing, round by round, etc. in narrative form. Follow these with The Headline their respective scores. Headlines are the display windows of newspapers. They also serve as a quick source of TIPS FOR SPORTS WRITERS information for busy newspaper readers. Summary of the summary lead. 1. Be minor sports enthusiasts. (Know about basketball, Considered as an assemblage of words written in baseball, and all the games you are going to write bigger, bolder letters than the usual page text at about) the beginning of the news 2. Write for the average reader. (Write simply with no It is not a title. unusual and technical terms) 3. Use the active voice. 4. Write with vigor. (Use strong verbs but not murderous) 5. Be fair. Don’t take sides. 6. Be constantly on the lookout for unusual incidents and angles. 7. Describe the players. 8. Get additional facts from the players, coaches, and spectators. Support your story with quotes. 9. Be careful with the statistics. (scores, league standing) 10. Never use ten words when seven will do. 11. Read the best sports writing in the dailies. ( Study and analyze the techniques of outstanding sports writers) Those with rectangles and circle are examples of headlines. Campus Journalism 9  FUNCTIONS OF HEADLINE Do’s and don’t’s in writing traditional headlines 1) to attract readers 2) to tell the story (in a summary) 1. Make your headline answer as many W’s as possible. 3) to add variety of type (to break monotony in a sea of 2. The headline should summarize the news story, but type) must avoid using all the words used in the lead. It 4) to identify personality of newspaper (use of font/style should contain nothing that is not found in the story. of letters) 3. Positive heads are preferable to negative ones. School 5) to index/grade the news (big type for important news; physician allays flu fear is better than Flu epidemic not small type for less important) rampant in city. 4. Out a verb expressed or implied in every deck. Pointers in headline writing 5. Omit articles like a, an, and the, and all forms of the Make it skeletonized. Articles and other unnecessary verb to be (is, are, be, etc.), unless needed to make words should be omitted. The headline should give the meaning clear. the gist of the story in as few words as possible. 6. Use the strongest word in the first line as much as Example: possible. ✓ “Principal dismisses pupils” 7. The active verb is better than the passive verb in X “The principal dismisses pupils” headlines (Food production drive intensified; RP’s lost image abroad regained) Use the present tense. This will emphasize the 8. Use the present tense for past stories and the infinitive immediacy of the event and will give action or movement form for future stories (Archbishop Sin bats for to the story. national reconciliation; Lantern parade to cap Xmas Example: affairs). ✓ “Burglar flees” 9. Write numbers in figures or spell them out depending X “Burglar fled” upon your needs for your unit counts. 10. Avoid heads that carry double meaning. Use the active voice. 11. Use only common abbreviations. Example: 12. Don‟t use names unless the person is well known, ✓ “Dog bites man” use common nouns instead. X “Man is bitten by dog” Wrong: Santos electrocuted Correct: Carpenter electrocuted Numbers. The numbers 1 – 9 are written in words 13. Use specific terms instead of generalities while the numbers 10 and above are written in figures. Example: Trader killed Example: Better: Trader stabbed to death nine students 13 children 14. Just report the facts; do not editorialize. Wrong: Noy gives inspiring talks EXCEPTIONS: (The word “inspiring” is just your opinion.) dates, address: always in figures. 20. Be positive. Don't use negatives in headlines. They proper nouns: may be written in figures/words weaken not only the headlines but also the stories. beginning of sentence: always in words events: 1st – 9th is allowed Punctuating a headline 1. Use a comma in place of the conjunction and Spelling - Look for misspelled words. Here in the 2. Two related thoughts should be separated with a Philippines, American English is used, not British semicolon. English. 3. The dash may be used in smaller decks but not for Ex: color, not colour eadlines in large types. If a word has more than one accepted spelling, 4. The single quotation marks are used in headlines. the shortest one is preferred. 5. Follow the other rules of punctuations. Ex: judgment, instead of judgement HEADLINE PATTERNS 1. Crossline (one line) and two-part crossline (two lines). XXXXXXXXXX Campus Journalism 10  XXXXXXXXXX 6. Hanging indention XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX 7. Block (flush left and right, from margin to margin) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 2. Dropline (or Stepline) XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX 3. Flush left XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX DECK This is the number of lines your headline will have Example: BCIS bags medals in NEPEESA quiz be (1 deck) 10 more cops wanted for Maguindanao massacre (2 decks) 4. Flush right XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX 5. Inverted Pyramid XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX Campus Journalism 11  news which are without attribution or sources. Unit counting in headline 7. Watch out for slanting or any attempt to present the ½ unit - jiltf and all punctuations except the em dash (--), story in a subtly biased way. and the question mark (?) 8. Watch for libelous statements. 1 unit - the question mark, space, all figures, capital JILTF, 9. Recheck figures and totals. all lower case letters except jiltf 10. Cross-out adjectives in news which tend to make a 1 ½ units - the em dash, lower case m and w, and all story sound over-written. capital letters except capital M and W and JILTF 11. Cut a story to size or to the required length if 2 units - capital M, W 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 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. There will be a separate page for the copyreading 2. Shorten sentences and tighten paragraphs. symbols and its uses. 3. See that the paper’s style requirements are strictly followed. Check names, addresses, title, You might heard a copyreader and a proofreader, but designations, identifications, figures, etc. what makes them different from one another? 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 is sure of his corrections. 6. Delete all opinion, speculations and statements on Campus Journalism 12  example, have you described the setting as “a yellow brick home” on one page but “a weathered wooden home” on another page? Copyediting is the process of checking for mistakes, inconsistencies, and repetition. During this process, your manuscript is polished for publication. What then is proofreading? Contrary to popular belief, the copyeditor is not a In publishing, proofreading happens after the manuscript glorified spell checker. has been printed. A final copy of the manuscript, or proof, is then examined by a professional proofreader. The copyeditor is your partner in publication. He or she makes sure that your manuscript tells the best story The proofreader’s job is to check for quality before the possible. The copyeditor focuses on both the small book goes into mass production. He or she takes the details and the big picture. He or she must be meticulous original edited copy and compares it to the proof, making and highly technical, while still aware of the overarching sure that there are no omissions or missing pages. The themes at work within your manuscript. proofreader corrects awkward word or page breaks. A copyeditor: While he or she may do light editing (such as correcting inconsistent spelling or hyphenations), the professional Checks for and corrects errors in grammar, proofreader is not a copyeditor. If too many errors are spelling, syntax, and punctuation. cited, he or she may return the proof for further Checks for technical consistency in spelling, copyediting. capitalization, font usage, numerals, hyphenation. For example, is it e-mail on page 26 Professional proofreading is required by traditional and email on page 143? Or do you use both publishers as a quality assurance measure before British and American English spelling variations printing off a mass quantity of books. Many self- interchangeably, such as favourite vs. favorite? publishing authors who have had their manuscript Checks for continuity errors and makes sure that professionally copyedited skip the proofread. If you're on all loose ends are tied. a budget, you might try to proofread your own work, Checks for factually incorrect statements. This is since there won't be as many errors to contend with at a necessary part of the copyediting process for that stage. non-fiction manuscripts, such as historical pieces and memoirs. The copyeditor must check if the facts in your manuscript are accurate and if the names and dates are correct. Copyediting vs. proofreading: What's the difference? (2016, Checks for potential legal liability. The May 2). NY Book Editors. copyeditor verifies that your manuscript does https://nybookeditors.com/2016/05/whats-the-difference- not libel others. between-copyediting-and-proofreading/ Checks for inconsistency within the story. This includes character description, plot points, and setting. Does each character stay true to his own description throughout the story? Are there conflicting descriptions of the house? For Campus Journalism 13  D. Use size heads on horizontal stories that do not deserve a full line. WEEK NO: 17 E. Mix vertical blocks with horizontal ones. Preparing the Page makeup F. Don’t always put the most important story at the top of the page. G. Use editorial freaks (inserts) and refers sparingly Layout or Makeup in breaking up gray areas. H. With flush-left style do not ever center display Page Makeup heads. Makeup – refers to the assembling of type, cuts, I. Avoid clutter by avoiding doglegs. Dogleg refers and / or ads on a page to a column of type extending down page, not Type – refers to the texts or fonts used squared off under multicolumn headline. Cuts – in letterpress terminology, J. Use italic head sparingly, if at all. photoengraving of any kind which includes K. Don’t use label-type heads on columns. photos, illustrations, boxes, etc. L. Use normal word spacing in headline types. M. Standardize the spacing between paragraphs – It has been often said that MAKEUP is a happy marriage make no exceptions. of AESTHETICS & MECHANICS It is the arrangement of N. Avoid “armpit” placement – a headline directly illustrations and types on a page or a spread which is to under a multicolumn head. be reproduced graphically. O. Take good care of the bottom of the page by placing heads and pictures there, depending on A newspaper should be carefully and properly laid out: balance with the top of the page. 1. To give prominence to the news in proportion to is importance. A newspaper should be carefully and properly laid out 2. To make the different contents easy to find and to for the following reasons: read. to give prominence to the news in proportion 3. To give the pages an attractive appearance. to its importance; 4. To give the paper a personality of its own. to make the different contents easy to find and to read; An effective makeup may be planned using two to give the pages an attractive appearance, and procedures: to give the paper a personality of its own. 1. Page makeup is a matter of personal taste. There are no absolute criteria for laying out the page or Types of Front Page Makeup pages of a newspaper or a magazine; therefore, A. By Way of Headline and Text Arrangement the layout artist may experiment freely on page makeup until he gets the pattern that is Scholastic Journalism by Earl English and Clarence Hach acceptable to him. gives the following types of front page makeup by way 2. There are many forms of front page makeup, it’s of headline and text arrangement. good to know them, but this does not mean that Perfect Balance (Balance or Symmetrical) the staff can’t devise its own. Makeup - A large headline placed, for example in the right-hand column front Dos and Don’ts in Makeup page, is balanced with a A. Experiment with thumbnail dummies before corresponding large one in deciding on the one that fits your needs. the first and second column. B. Don’t use two pictures of the same size on any -Other headlines are one page. Try to contrast horizontal and vertical similarly arranged. A one- shapes. column cut at the top of the C. Avoid piling type blocks of similar depth on top column four. of each other or running them in the order of ascending or descending size. Campus Journalism 14  Brace or Focus - Circus Makeup- it is broken-column carried to Headlines are the extreme. The diagonally arranged page is broken up from the upper left with no attempt at to the lower right regularity hand corner or vice symmetry or order. versa just like a Many headlines of brace supporting a all size; boxes and house. Balance is cuts are scattered obtained by various all over the page, devices such as two each clamoring for column heads, attention, and boxes, and cuts screaming as which are used to offset the weight barkers carnival concentrated in the upper right or upper left circus do. There is hand corner. no focus of interest. Broken Column Makeup Occult Makeup - the page is B. Makeup By Way of Text and Photo Combination broken into several units to give space to many stories. - Another way of laying out a page is through the text and symmetry is obtained be photo combination. The following illustrations carefully arranging the are self-explanatory: contents so as not to cancel each other by their nearness. The X Format Large heads and cuts are placed where they give the page a pleasing pattern. Streamlined Makeup - the format is similar to that of the contrast and balance makeup. However the nameplate is, usually The Curve Format floated, headlines are flushed up in cap and lowercase (clc) type, and large body types are often used. -instead of boxing stories in full, three quarter boxes are restored to. Campus Journalism 15  The L Format Dummy sheet - a piece of paper which has measurement in length and in depth and will determine more or less the pages. The main consideration in preparing the page is that it should be as attractive as possible. Principles to Follow to Achieve Effective Makeup Again, Scholastic Journalism by English and Hach gives six principles to achieve effective makeup. These are unity, balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, and contrast. 1. Unity - the content of every page and of every double page spread should blend into a harmonious unit. No one part of the page should overshadow another. The headlines should complement each other and the picture should The J Format not distract the eyes too much. 2. Balance - should be whether it be perfect or occult. This can be done by having like or unlike units balance each other. A cut may be balance with another cut, or with a group of headlines, or with a boxed story. A two- column head may balance a box and a single column head. 3. Emphasis - in order to achieve emphasis, news should be displayed according to importance. The news value of every story must be determined as to what page it should find print, its position on the page, and the style and size of its headline. 4. Movement The Umbrella Format - there is no movement in perfect balance. With occult balance, the eye is directed from one part of the page to another—from the most important to the least important. 5. Proportion - the picture must size properly to keep up with other shapes on the page, Square cuts are undesirable. The length of the stories should be considered. A long story may ruin the proportion of the page. 6. Contrast - Each story and cut should have an individuality of its own. This can be achieved if units blends together as one. Every head and cut on a page should contrast with adjoining materials. Contrasting adjacent headlines will help emphasize between heads are sometimes good makeup devices. Campus Journalism 16  Dos and Don’ts in Page Makeup STYLEBOOK 1. Avoid tombstoning. A stylebook does not deal with matters of literary - placing two or more headlines on approximately the expression. It presents rules that, when followed, lead to same level in adjacent columns especially if they are of consistency in punctuation, abbreviation, capitalization, the same point and types. and spelling. 2. Avoid bad breaks. 3. Avoid separating related stories and pictures. Ten Principles of Clear Writing (Robert Gunning): 4. Avoid gray areas (sea of gray). 5. Keep long columns of 6 points types and tabular 1. Keep sentences short, on the average. Sentences material to a minimum especially on the front page. must vary in length if the reader is to be saved from 6. Avoid using a banner headline unless the story boredom. deserves it. 2. Prefer the simple to the complex. Zinsser wrote: ‘The 7. Don’t make the page top-heavy; i.e., making the top secret to good writing is to strip every sentence to its half of the page heavy with cuts and big headlines. cleanest form.’ 8. Avoid many headlines of the same size on a page. 3. Prefer the familiar word. The Element of Style says, 9. Avoid placing small heads on rather long stories. “Avoid the elaborate, the pretentious, the coy and the 10. The average number of stories on Page 1 of a tabloid cute.” is from seven to nine stories. 4. Avoid unnecessary words. 5. Put action into your verbs. Use the active voice. PHOTOJOURNALISM 6. Write the way you talk. Avoid formal, stilted language. Picture Selection Be specific. - The newspaperman has two things to bear in 7. Use terms your reader can capture. Explain jargons. mind when selecting pictures for publication. 8. Tie in with your reader’s experience. A statement cut These are the picture’s technical value and off from context is a ‘figure” that simply floats about. editorial value. 9. Make full use of variety. Work toward and nurture a - A picture has technical value when it is style you find comfortable with. technically perfect with proper light and shadow, 10. Write to express, not to impress. Inform readers, is free form smudges, and is clean and clear for that’s all. publication. - A picture loses its technical value as a result of poor screening by the photographer, or maybe, the original picture was already dirty, faded or worn-out when it was submitted for reproduction. - A picture, on the other hand has editorial value when it tells a story at a glance and when it shows life’s happenings and moments of truth and significance. Writing Caption - A caption is the text or body type accompanying photos or artwork or any pictorial illustration. It is sometimes called cutline or underline. The title or explanatory matter above an illustration is called an overline. - Captions should be closely related to the picture so that the reader may be able to take in picture and caption at a glance. This explains why the caption should be underneath the picture when there are other materials on the page. The caption can be on the side when picture and caption are isolated. Campus Journalism 17