COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITING: More than Just Marks and

WordsBy Marnela Kathleen V. Pasamba

Objectives:1. Define briefly what copyreading and headline writing is.2. Describe the role of copyreaders and headline writers (copy fixers).3. Give the checklist for editors.4. Explain what headlines are. 5. Give some pointers and rules in writing headlines.6. Teach the mechanics of headline writing.7. Give some interactive exercises on the use of copyreading signs and

symbols and headline writing.

What is COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITING?It is the way of improving a story and making an appropriate headline

for the article.

The ROLE of Copy FixersGood copy fixers keep the spirit and substance of the story. He/She

basically brightens and polishes the article. He makes the story better by organizing it better than when it was submitted.

8-Step Checklist for Editors1. Read the story quickly and get its main idea.2. Correct obvious errors of facts or spelling.3. Rewrite the lead, if necessary.4. Break up long paragraphs into shorter ones.5. Decide if the story is too long for its relative value. Trim it as needed.6. Look for mistakes in punctuation, grammar and facts.7. Watch for potentially libelous statements. Make sure it is accurate

and fair to all sides.8. Write the headline.

What are HEADLINES?Headlines are display windows of newspapers. It is a quick source of

information about the story.

7-Pointers in Headline Writing1. Skeletonize it. Omit unnecessary words and articles.2. Use present tense in stories that already happened and use the

infinite form of the verb for future actions.3. Use active voice.4. Avoid “to be” words.5. Be specific. Use precise words.6. Be accurate and direct.7. Avoid exclamation points or other punctuations.

Rules in Headline Writing1. The head should tell the gist of the story simply and clearly.2. Apply the rule of capitalization.3. Lines should not end with a preposition.4. Never use “may.”5. Assertions in a headline should have a source.6. Don’t convert verbs into nouns.7. Use shorter words whenever possible.

Mechanics of Headline Writing

A Technical Instruction or The Printer’s Directions2-24 BB UN W/KICKER

Meaning: - The first number means that the headline will run across two

columns of the page.- The second number stands for the font size to be used.- BB (Bold Bodoni) indicates the font type.- UN stands for universe, a type style.- Kicker refers to the preliminary head.- The two lines below refer to the number of lines your headline will

have.

Headline Patterns1. Crossline2. Dropline3. Flush Left4. Hanging Indention5. Inverted Pyramid6. Flush Right

Counting the Headline1. All small letters except liftj and mw are counted as 1.2. All capital letters except IMW are counted as 1½.3. All punctuation marks except the –, ?, $ and % are counted as 1.4. All figures and spaces are counted as 1.5. Small m and w are counted as 1½.6. Capital M and W are counted as 2.7. Small liftj are counted as ½.

See Supplemental Lectures for Additional Information

It’s time for exercises.

References:- The UST Varsitarian Campus Press Stylebook- Journalism for Filipinos Revised Edition by Alito L. Malinao

21 3 4 5 6

- Campus and Community Journalism Handbook by Alito Malinao- Exercise article taken from this website:

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/west_nile_infected_mosquitoes_found_in_orange_county_07-25-2008.html

Name: __________________________________________________

COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITING EXERCISES

Exercise I. Copyreading Signs and SymbolsDirection: Illustrate through signs and symbols the following copy fixer’s actions/remarks.

Copy fixer’s Actions/Remarks To Be Edited

1. Delete; take out Always mark all proofse

2. Insert space Always markproofs properly.

3. Insert letter(s) or word(s) Always mak profs properly.

4. Transpose letters or words Always proofs makr properly.

5. Close up; no space Always m ark proofs prop erly.

6. Align with left margin Always mark proof

7. Align with right margin Always mark proof

8. Center Mark Proofs

9. Start new paragraph Always mark proofs properly.

10.Do not start new paragraph Always mark proofs.Mark them properly.

11.Do not start new line Always mark proofsproperly.

12.Do not make correction; Always mark proofs properly.Let stand as written

13.This is wrong; see copy Always mark proof

14.This is questionable; Never mark proofs properlyCheck or query author

15.Insert comma Proofs if properly marked

16.Insert period Always mark proof properly

17.Insert apostrophe The proofs in the proof mark.

18.Insert quotation marks He said, Mark proofs properly.

19.Insert hyphen The writer editor marks proofs.

20.Insert dash Always not sometimes marks.

21.Spell out Proofing is a no. 1 priority.

22.Align Alw ys mark oofs properly.

a pr

Exercise II. Word EquivalentsDirection: Think of the shorter word that would mean the same as the words given below. Choose the words in the Word Bank provided.

WORD BANK

1. Agreement ____________________________2. Arrest ____________________________3. Expose, reveal ____________________________4. Enumerate, mention ____________________________5. Committee ____________________________6. Decrease, go down ____________________________7. Quarrel, dispute ____________________________8. Restrain, control ____________________________9. Invite, request ____________________________10.Investigate ____________________________11.Resign ____________________________12.Question ____________________________13.Policeman ____________________________14.Impede, thwart ____________________________15.Connect ____________________________16.To discard, throw away ____________________________17.Calm ____________________________

Hail Link Nix Lull Nab Feud Body Dip Probe/Grill Quiz

Cite Junk Quit Accord Curb Cop Rift Hit Bid/AskBare

18.Disagreement, quarrel ____________________________19.Without ____________________________20.Welcome ____________________________

Exercise III. Turning Complex to Simpler WordsDirection: Choose from the Word Bank the common words that can best replace the highbrow words given below.

WORD BANK

1. Indisposed ____________________________2. Monumental ____________________________3. Terminate ____________________________4. Witness ____________________________5. Purchase ____________________________6. Utilize ____________________________7. Majority ____________________________8. Reside ____________________________9. Procure ____________________________10.Proceed ____________________________11.Contribute ____________________________12.Inquire/Request ____________________________13.Endeavor/Attempt ____________________________14.Summon ____________________________15.Category ____________________________16.Prevaricate ____________________________17.Incarcerate ____________________________18.Inaugurate ____________________________19.Facilitate ____________________________20.Inundate ____________________________21.Demonstrate ____________________________22.Accommodate ____________________________23.Discontinue ____________________________24.Inform ____________________________

Exercise IV. Verbal DeadwoodsDirection: Replace the wordy phrase to a preferable word. Use the Word Bank as your reference.

WORD BANK

1. Despite the fact ____________________________2. Take action on the issue ____________________________3. For the reason that ____________________________4. Tendered his resignation ____________________________5. Affixed his signature ____________________________6. Held a conference ____________________________

Use Tell Get Give Ask Call Ill Buy Lie Jail Class TryFlood End Big Show Live See Go Stop Most Seat Help

Star/Open

Although Because Now/Today Signed ResignedMet

Act If/When Scarce Married Now Escaped

7. In the event of ____________________________8. Make good his escape ____________________________9. At this moment in time ____________________________10.United in holy matrimony____________________________11.In short supply ____________________________12.At the present time ____________________________

Exercise V. Spelling TimeDirection: Please write the word dictated by the speaker.

1. ______________2. ______________3. ______________4. ______________5. ______________6. ______________7. ______________8. ______________

9. ______________10.______________11.______________12.______________13.______________14.______________15.______________

Exercise VI. Headline Writing and CountingDirection: Write a headline in the short article given below. Count it and write the printer’s directions.

Note: The headline should run in two columns and should not be more than 40 points.

Headline:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Two mosquitoes collected in Orange County have tested positive for West

Nile virus, according to a Friday press release from the Orange County

Mosquito Control District.

The mosquitoes, collected from areas north and south of Interstate 10

between FM 1135 and Doty Road, are the first samples to test positive this

year, according to the release.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions such as using repellants

containing DEET or picaridin and moving indoors at dusk and dawn when

mosquitoes are most active. People should wear light-colored and loose-

fitting clothing and drain any standing water from property, according to the

district.

Symptoms of the virus appear from three to 14 days after someone has been

bitten by an infected mosquito, according to the release. These symptoms

include fever, headache, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. A more severe

infection might result in stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions,

muscle weakness, coma and paralysis.