CRASH COURSE IN JOURNALISMGOLDEN PEN AWARDS 2011July 1-2, 2012; Iloilo National High School and Robinsons Place Iloilo, Iloilo CityCRASH COURSE IN JOURNALISMWHATS INSIDE?NEWSWRITING FEATURE WRITING EDITORIAL WRITINGSPORTS WRITING COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITINGEDITORIA CARTOONINGNEWSWRITINGAny event, idea, or opinion that is timely, that interests and affects a large number of persons in the community, and that is capable of being understood by them.News is an oral or written report of an event that happened, is happening, will happen in the North, East, West, or South that is of interest to the reader and which should be reported.But what is interesting to one is not always interesting to another.Elements of the NewsConflict, Immediacy or Timeliness, Proximity or Nearness, Prominence, Significance, Names, Drama, Oddity and Unusualness, Romance and Adventure, Sex, Progress, Animals, Number, EmotionBasic Rule (ABC) in Writing News: ACCURACY, BREVITY, CLARITY.Different forms of writing an incidentSituation: A fire broke out and four persons made their separate essays on what happened.For a 10-year-old grade school pupil,I saw a fire. It was a big red fire. It burned a house. There were many people around. Some men put water on the fire.For a romantic high school student,Fearful scarlet tongues arose to the star-studded heaven and licked greedily at the doomed edifice while the stout-hearted firefighters risked their all to quench the terrible conflagration.For a lady bystander,You know, Mare, there was a fire in our community. I think it cost the owner a great deal of money. The date was August 8. August is the eighth month. So I bet in the lottery, 8-16-24-32-40-48.For a news writer,A fire of undetermined origin razed to the ground a two-storey apartment owned by lawyer Herman Lagon of 80 Lopez Jaena St., Jaro Iloilo City, last night. Four trucks from the Jaro Fire Station subdued the fire within an hour. The damage estimated by the police at PhP 500,000.00 was covered by insurance.(Here, note the 5Ws and 1H in the lead)The combination of simple, vivid and dignified articles produces a copy simple enough for Mr. Average Reader to understand. We call it news article.Structure of news:Inverted Pyramid (from climax to less important)Sample NewsHeadline (ulo ng balita)Dog dies saving blind masterLead (pamatnubay) Most important factsA FOUR-YEAR-O D dog saved the life of his blind master, Thursday night, but the canines loyalty cost the trusty animal his life.BridgeElaboration of leadIn serious condition today in Doctors Hospital is Erland Escobanez, 71, a street sweeper. Escobanez of SSS Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City was found early this morning unconscious on a sidewalk near the Aglipayan Church in the Iloilo Terminal Market.Less important factsPolice theorized that Escobanez was knocked unconscious when he fell, his head hitting a stone. Potpot, his dog, apparently tried to shield its master from the cold and the rain by draping itself over the fallen man.When discovered this morning by the Police Patrol, Escobanez was still out cold. The dog lay near, dead.Relatives of Escobanez who is still a bachelor, told authorities that he always took nightly strolls at about 11 p.m. with his dog.Minor factsAccording to doctors, only the warmth from the dogs body saved Escobanez from certain death.Escobanez told police that he remembers nothing of the incident. A wallet containing PhP 500.00 was still in his pocket leading the authorities to rule out robbery.How to write a lead?LeadIt is a single word, a phrase, a clause, a brief sentence, an entire paragraph or a series of paragraphs. The main function of the lead, aside from introducing the news story, are to tell the story in capsule form and to answer right away the questions the reader would naturally ask.A good lead answers all the important questions of the reader, indicates thefacts if they are all important, and arouses the readers interest to continue reading the story. In Filipino news, a good lead starts with a verb like Nilamon ngConventional or summary leadThis kind of lead used in straight news, answers right away all or any of the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and/or the H (How). It may be one of the following:1. WHO leadPRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo addressed, April 20, the PMA graduates in Baguio City.2. WHAT leadAN ENTRANCE examination will be given Nov. 24 to all graduating high school students desiring to enroll in the four-year college course.3. WHERE leadTRAPICHE, Oton, Iloilo will be the site of the next International Film Festival.4. WHEN leadTODAY, almost to the hour, the Revolutionary Government was proclaimed by former President Corazon Aquino.5. WHY leadBECAUSE of poverty, around a hundred students dropped from school last year. This was learned from Ateneo de Iloilo principal Aurora dela Cruz.6. HOW leadBY APPEALING to the school board, the University of Iloilo was able to construct a 30-storey, concrete building.Dos and Donts in writing a news story1. Write the story immediately.2. Play up the dominant points.3. Be accurate and truthful.4. Avoid opinions called editorializing.5. Use adjectives sparingly.6. Avoid libelous, seditious and rebellious matters, prejudice and bad taste.7. Give source (attribution) of the news. Use quotes!8. Write names in full when these are mentioned for the first time.9. Identify the names mentioned.10. Avoid redundancy.11. Watch out for errors in fact, grammar, structure, and style.12. Observe the guidelines for clear effective writing (unity, coherence, emphasis, brevity, clarity, etc.)13. Adopt a paper stylesheet or stylebook for consistency and professionalism (in Ripples, we officially adopt the Daily Inquirer Stylebook)Guidelines in writing a news story1. Give your lead sentence a punch to catch the interest of the readers.2. Starts with the most important event or idea.3. Use the rule or proximity and explain how the news affects the people in the locality or the students in school.4. If your story has something unusual or novel to tell, bank on that for the lead. Its hot copy.5. Make your sentences concise and clear so that they could be easily understood. Long tedious sentences will likely kill the readers interest. Besides, they usually lose the readers along the way. News stories are not luxury or pleasure reading. They have the basic function to inform.6. Use simple words. Using highfalutin words does not prove anything but pedantry and literary pretentions. Even literary writers try as much as possible to use simple words.7. Never be afraid of breaking the rules if it will prove helpful in making a good copy.FEATURE WRITINGWhat is a feature article (lathalain)?It is hard to define a feature article because it can take so many forms and can cover so many subjects. However, a reader may easily distinguish feature stories from news stories through its different characteristics.A feature article is an essay based on fact. Its a virtual drop bag. It is never fictitious. This makes it different from ordinary essay you study in your literature class.Like an editorial, a feature article is hung on a newspeg.Feature stories, like news stories, are written to inform but they enlarge news in a leisurely and entertaining way. They are written to add life to the paper and therefore their style lends more to the creativity of a writer.The main objective of news is to inform while that of a feature article is toentertain. But feature articles may also instruct, advise, influence, inform, and entertain at the same time.The matrix below compares and contrasts news, feature and editorial articles.COMPARISONNEWSEDITORIALFEATURE1. DefinitionReport an eventInterpretation of an event/issueAn essay based on facts2. Main PurposeTo informTo interpretTo entertain using present human interest stories3. TimelinessTimelyTimelyTimely4. LengthShortAround 300 words (2000 computer characters)Depends upon the needs5. Use of wordsSimple precise, concreteSimple, forceful, directMay be descriptive, flowery, colorful6. Use of sentencesShort, simple, 15-25 words averageMay be longerMay be longer7. ParagraphNo topic sentence, one idea, one paragraphWith topic sentence, longerWith topic sentence, longer8. Use of literary devicesJournalistic, direct to the point, no idioms, figures of speechJournalistic, direct to the point, may use idioms, figures of speech if properly handledLiterary, can be journalistic; idioms, figures of speech used freely9. Use of adjectives/opinionUses adjectives sparingly; opinion, neverAdjectives used freely; primarily opinionAs much as desired10. PartsLead, (Bridge), BodyIntroduction (newspeg, reaction), body, conclusion (clincher)Introduction, body, ending11. StyleFollows style-sheet newspaper styleFollows style-sheet, newspaper styleComposition style or newspaper style12. StructureInverted pyramidHypothesis, arguments/stand on issue, conclusionSuspended interest or pyramid structure13. Title/HeadlineShort (subject-verb; telegraphic sentence form)Shorter (at most three words)Any length as long as it is appealing to the reader/topic14. Kinds(Refer to the syllabus)Note: Sports News is not included since this special news article combines News, Feature and Editorial precepts.Imagine this You are a reporter of a newspaper covering a beat in the Iloilo Port Terminal. While going home for work, you notice an old man ferrying people across a narrow waterway that divides the passenger bancas from the wharf.You have passed by him hundreds of times before without a second thought, but suddenly you get off your motorcycle press and grab your notepad. You have just spotted a feature story.You take a candid shot of the old man and start asking him questions about himself, his family, his job, his odd experience with the endless stream of humanity that he ferries daily across the small brook.At home, you sit down and focus your thoughts on the old gnarled ferryman and study the odds and ends about him on your notepad. You organize your material and determine your focus of interest. Then, you begin to write your story:REGIE Zabalacheng has the loneliest job in town.Each day, he ferries hundreds of people across the Iloilo stream, but no one bothers to say hello, or even give a friendly wave.Sabalacheng, 68, of 70 Lopez Jaena Street, Iloilo City, has been at his job for 40 solitary years.Nobody ever pays attention to me except to give me the two peso-fare after I get them safely across the river. I know them all by face because I see them every day but I dont know their names, Zabalacheng said with a cynical grin, I guess they dont know mine either.Its not a bad job, but it sure gets lonely.The story continues with more quotes from Zabalacheng, a description of his appearance and mannerisms, anecdotes from his 40-year career, and his family.Youve got a feature story.The Wall Street Journal FormulaHere is a structure for features that the Wall Street Journal has used successfully for many years.Beginning (introduction)Start with an anecdote or an illustration of the theme (1st to 2nd paragraphs).ThemeShortly after the beginning, state the point of the piece (3rd to 6thparagraphs).BodyProvide details that elaborate on that theme. Tell the reader what is happening and why and whats being done about the situation. This serves rather than conclude on a secondary piece of information as to most news stories, a feature may have what is called a kicker, a punch at the end that drives home the theme and that the reader must always remember. (5th to 7th paragraphs)Topics for Feature Stories1. Personalities2. Experience and adventure3. Description4. Narratives5. Backgrounders6. Developmental feature articles7. What to do and How to articlesHow to introduce (begin) the Feature article?Unlike straight news, a feature article may begin in any form and in any style. It depends on the topic or purpose of the writer. Most features, however, may be introduced by any of the following:1. Rhetorical questionWHO says that age is an obstacle to education?Take it from Procopio Dimakulangan of San Miguel, Iloilo who stopped going to school 50 years ago after finishing the elementary grades. This year, he enrolled as a first year evening student at Andres Bonifacio High, Ateneo de Iloilos adopted school.2. Startling statementHINDI pa kami laos!Ito ang pahayag ng mga young oncemga guro, pinuno ng paaralan at mga magulangnang kanilang ipinagdiwang ang Araw ng Ateneo, Agosto 17, at lumahok sila sa ibat ibang palatuntunan at paligsahan upang bigyang-buhay at kasanayan ang pagdiriwang.3. Narrative statementMRS. NELIA Marie Pradas, a fourth year evening student sends herself and her six children to school, acting as mother and father at the same time.Every day, Mrs. Pradas takes her tentative place between the half-time tinderatending her sarisari store during the day and the half-time student studying at night.4. Quoted remarksI EARN while I learn. He smiled at me as the interview reeled off. How can you work, have a part-time job as an exotic dancer, and at the same time go to school? I asked.Well, it is easy, she explained. I dont do all of these at the same time.5. An old maxim, an aphorism or a salawikainTUBIG, tubig sa lahat ng dako, ngunit kahit isang patak ay walang maiinom. Itong siniping sabi ni Samuel Coleridge sa tulang The Ancient Mariner na wala nang bisa ngayon. Kahit na tubig na galing sa baha ay maiinom na. Paano? Ganito ang paraan.6. History or background of the subjectISLAMS throughout the world, including our Filipino Muslim brothers observe the holy month of Ramadan, starting Sept. 17. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. It is observed by Muslims as the Lenten Season is commemorated by Christians.7. Problems to be discussed in the article of fact to be establishedTHIS IS the answer to the rising cost of vegetables: raise your own.Ending the Feature article1. A summary of the whole articleMAKINIG ka sa dalubhasa: ang paninigarilyo ay lubhang masama sa kalusugan. Maaring maturingan kang tunay na lalaki dahil sa paninigarilyo mo, subalit hindi tatagal ang buhay mo upang mapatunayan mo ang iyong pagkalalaki.2. An announcement of the main point for the first timeTHEREFORE, a major part of the development communications effort should be directed at strengthening the character of the people and developing in them moral values, particularly by self-discipline, self-reliance, strength of character, and fortitude.3. A question left in the readers mindANG KAMAY ng makabagong Pilipino ay handang marumihan. Pinaiikoit niya ang gulong ng pangkaunlaran. Iwina-wagayway niya ang bandila ng kalayaankalayaan laban sa paghihikahos, at kalayaan sa kamangmangan.4. Suggested results or significanceLET US conserve our forests now if we want to save the future of our country and of our children.5. A forecast or prophecyIN SIX-AND-A-HALF centuries from now, if population explosion would not be checked, there would be one person standing on every square foot of land on earth. By that time, people would be devouring one another for there would be no more space for plants to grow.6. A repetition of the introductionASKED if he had formal training in photography, ovely Sepe finally answered, Ah, it is now the reverse. It is here where I learn as I earn, not earn as I learn. (the lead of the feature article is, I learn while I earn).7. A repetition of a sentence or slogan, or a reference to the titleAFTER four years of working as a houseboy, working during the day and going to school at night, Jose Bonifacio will soon graduate as a first honor student.Now, who says that poverty is a hindrance to education?(The title of the feature article is Poverty, not a hindrance.)8. An appropriate quotationNESTOR claims that he is poor. But when asked why he gave his last centavo to the old man, he answered:It is not what we give, but what we shareFor the gift, without the giver is bare,Who gives himself with his alms feeds threeHimself, his hungering neighbor and me.A good feature writer should possess the following:1. a keen observation2. an intellectual curiosity3. ability to find features in everyday happenings4. cupboards of descriptive words (using all senses)and everyday idioms5. the skill to weave words into interesting sentences and paragraphs6. the ability to write effectively7. the attitude to think first before writing and to show (suggest), not tell, thingsFeature ExampleTopic: AbortionCOME TO me, Mama. Come, touch me and feel my pain. Dont be afraid now, Mama. You werent when you killed me.Here, touch this can you feel it now, Mama? The excruciating pain that consumed my helpless body? You inflicted that, remember?Look at my body, now a mass of rotting flesh and coagulated blood. The dregs of what was a tiny human body. A body that was soft with a tiny head matted with a sheen of baby hair. A tiny body with a tiny heart that pulsated in time with yours. These were my fingers and ohh!... Heres my thumb which I sucked while snugly tucked inside you.You see, I had long lashes just like Dads. My sensitive mouth was just like yours. And here are my ears that heard your quickening heartbeat when youre afraid.I could have been a wonderful child if youve let me live.I could have been baby boy, just what Daddy wanted. A strong, healthy and bubbly bundle in your arms. My hypersensitiveness would have exasperated you.Daddy? Hmmm He could have coached me in playing basketball. Hell be the passer and I am the shooter. I could have grown into a writer. You would be proud of me coz Im gonna join contests.Mama, see I was alive but not anymore. So, please let baby brother live. He could also be as wonderful as me. His life wouldnt be like mine. A life that never was.EDITORIAL WRITINGWhat is an Editorial?It is the official stand of the publication on a relevant development or issue. It is a concerted commentary written by any member of the editorial staff who comments or gives the newspapers or staffs opinion on an issue which is of interest and importance to the public.The editorial is considered the soul of the newspaper for it stirs the conscience of the readers to action; it influence and molds public opinion. It is usually written in formal language, expressing the stand of the paper on controversial issues of the day. It has no byline.It is the expression of the peoples conscience, cause, and convictions.Joseph PulitzerCharacteristics of a good editorial1. Must have clearness of style2. Moral purpose3. Sound reasoning4. The power to influence public opinion5. Lead logically to a conclusion6. Present only one idea7. Avoid wordiness8. Present facts not mere opinion9. Concise, around 250-300 words or 2,000-2,500 computer characters (at most 6 paragraphs)10. Must be decisive and biasTypes of editorial1. Editorial of information2. Editorial of interpretation3. Editorial of criticism4. Editorial of commendation, appreciation, or tribute5. Editorial of argumentation6. Editorial of entertainment7. Mood editorial8. Pooled editorialHow to write an editorial?In writing editorial, select only one specific idea to develop. Be sure the topic is of interest to the reader.Organize your editorial in three parts:1. IntroductionContains the newspeg with the reaction. It is usually one short paragraph.(A newspeg is a brief statement about the news event upon which the editorial is based or an existing issue that needs to be solved right away)2. BodyIt may take two to four short paragraphs that support or justify the reaction. Cite reasons, statistics, interviews, or figures.3. EndingThe ending, sometimes called the clincher, summarizes the editorials stand. It must be crispy and difficult to forget.Example of an introduction(reaction is italicized; newspeg is in regular font)The new office policy of requiring tardy students to study their lessons in the literary while they wait for the next period is both timely and wise.It is a source of great pride and inspiration for our school to come out second in the NSAT regionwide.Our general PTA is really generous and concerned for the students welfare. They will donate labor and materials to improve the school gym.TitlesLike in feature articles, the editorial has also a head or title which should be brief (preferably less than four words), forceful and interesting. In writing editorials, there is no room for balimbings. Though the writer must present both sides, he/she must, in the end, take a concrete stand on the issue. To perfect this, one must keep on toes on the different issues swarming the society from the most complicated to the most mundane topics.Pointers in writing editorial1. Make the editorial interesting enough to read.2. Develop it from one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence and expanded into the body of the editorial.3. Have a purpose well in mind that should be accomplished with sufficient data.4. Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments, with each argument leading up to the conclusion.5. Peg the lead sentence on recent, relevant news for its impact value.6. Present both sides of an issue and clarify tricky aspects with a widely understood analogy or with an illustration that makes for easier understanding.7. Direct the editorial towards the establishment of a consensus.8. Article must be simple, direct, clear, and forceful.9. No double meanings.10. It must reflect clear, logical thinking.11. Subject matter must be significant to the readers.12. Sentences and paragraphs must be comparatively short.Dos and Donts in writing an editorial1. Win the readers interest with an impelling lead paragraph.2. Avoid generalities by using plenty of facts and by telling what these facts mean.3. Keep your editorials short; around 300 words (2,500 computer characters) only.4. Do not preach, scold or moralize.5. Relate editorials directly to the lives of the reader.6. Avoid the first person, I. Use the editorial We.7. Write simply.8. Develop editorial from only one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence and expanded into the body.9. Sentences and paragraphs should be relatively short.10. Accomplish your purpose.Editorial beginningsAn editorial may start with:1. A simple statement that gives enough of the situation, problem or news to be discussed.2. A question that calls attention to, give an idea about the problem or point out the logical development of the topic.3. A striking statement that jolts the imagination and arouses the interest of the reader.4. A quotation relevant to the subject under discussion.5. A narrative illustrating the problem or situation.Example:VandalsATENEO de Iloilos walls have a new coat of paint and are presently clean. Whether they retain their present state of cleanliness depends almost entirely on the students.The first spots appeared as a result of negligent student leaning against the walls and scraping the soles of their shoes on them. Some students have also taken a peculiar delight in making long pencil scrawls on the walls as they go to classes.According to an observant parent, Ateneans, more than any other group of students, abuse their buildings. This report, whether true or otherwise, should serve as a challenge.Will the walls remain clean?SPORTS WRITINGWhat is Sports Reporting?Sports writing has become one of the most popular forms of modern journalistic writing. More and more Atenean readers are now turning to the sports section before looking at the more prosaic news of the time.But while may talk about sports, there are only few who can write a sports story. Even experienced reporters get lost covering games and writing about them because it takes more than just answering the 5 Ws and 1 H to be able to come up with a comprehensive sports news story.ExampleILAGAN, IsabelaIsabela National High School, behind the remarkable performances of Florante Carreon and Paul Gonzales, took all the Roxas National High School could offer before hacking out a close 60-59 win in an exhibition game held at St. Ferdinand College Court here, Tuesday.Carreon scored 21 points to lead Isabela and Gonzales 13 points but delivered this on the crucial part of the game including the winning free throw.The game started in a roller-coaster encounter and the first half ended 28-27 with Isabela on the lead.The second half was still close and Roxas took the lead with two minutes to go, but Gonzales displayed a big heart as he connected a three-pointer to give Isabela the lead, 54-53.Rolly Menor carried Roxas on that decisive moment and tied the game at 59-all with 15 seconds to go.Gonzales fished a foul with 10 seconds left and split his charity for the lead, 60-59.Herman Menor refused to give up but his last desperate jumpshot went in-and-out of the ring.Faith carried us through this game, its a good game, said Gonzales after the game.Box scores:INHS (60)Carreon 21, Gonzales, 13, Magusib, 12, Mercado 6, Aguinaldo 4, Martinez 2, Cabanlong 2, Ong 0, Lim 0, Gumaru 0.RNHS (59)Menor 22, Balagan 18, Malaca 12, Soriano 7, Allavigan 0, gonzaga 0, Advincula 0, Limbauan 0, Galapon 0.Sports News StructureLike any other news story, a sports story has a lead and a body. The sports lead is the attention-getter and the body is the news in a-nut-shell.The classic 5 Ws and 1 H appear in the sports lead as: 1. Who won? 2. How did they win? 3. Against whom? 4. By what score? 5. Where? and 6. When?The Torres High School Quintet (1) poured 10 baskets in the last three minutes (2) to edge out the Osmenians (3) 65-63 (4) at the opponents homeground (5) yesterday afternoon (6).This kind of summary lead may vary.The lead can also highlight other elements like:1. The key playLAKANDULA, IloiloThe visiting Soliman High School sluggers bombed the Lakandula batters with six runs in the third inning to subdue a nerve-frazzling Lakandula rally, 14-12, as they clinched the invitational game here, in connection with the celebration of the schools Foundation Day.2. The outstanding playerEDWARD Ong of Ateneo de Iloilo, after almost four hours of battle over the chessboard, copped the most coveted YMCA trophy after outwitting Philippine Science High School chesser William Santos in 27 moves of a Sicilian defense.3. Analytical approachRIDING high on sizzling spikes and tricky placing, the spitfire Ateneo Blue Dragons blasted the Ateneo Blue Eagles killers in the crucial third set to won 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 in the Jesuit Athletics Meet (JAM), Sept. 21, at the Sacred HeartSchool in Cebu yesterdayThe bodyAfter the lead, the other elements follow in descending order. These will include:1. Team and/or individual standing2. Decisive plays3. Best scores for the day4. Play-by-play5. QuotationsElements that make up a good sports article:1. Personalities2. Play-by-play description3. Statistics and comparisons4. Quotes by players5. Quotes by trainers and coaches6. Background stuff on players7. The importance or significance of the event8. Background of the game9. Weather conditions10. Crowd and celebrationLingos and SlanguagesBasketball (basketbol)Quintet, goal (gol o buslo), dribble (dribol), pivot, rally, rebound (rebaun), technical foul, 15-foot line, hook shot, zone defense, first half (unang kalahati), tip-in, full court, press, box out, slam dunk, man-to-man, trey, full-court press, hook shot, goaltending, baseline, board, layup (leyap), out-of-bounds, dominated the paintBaseball or Softball (beisbol at sopbol)Diamond, pitcher (pitser), catcher (katser), back stop, hit a homerun, rolling ball, short stop, southpaw, pegged at third, fast ball, playoff (n, adj), play off (v.), slugger, wild pitch, bullpenBoxing (boksing)Southpaw, slugger, rabbit punch, kidney punch, referee stopped contest (RSC), technical knockout, featherweight,ChessCheckmate, rook, queenside, Sicilian opening, Ruy opez defense, Queens gambit, knight, white, black, fast pawn, en pass, castle, pin, open check, blunder, Philidors defenseVolleyballSpike (spaik), placing (pleysing), change court, kill (kil), Chinese kill, block, net ball, wallop (wallop), jump serve, spiker (spay-ker), server (serber)Soccer or FootballSoccerites, goalie, corner kick, penalty kick, full back, defenders, booters, kick off (v.), kickoff (adj)TrackPass on the baton, breasted the tape, clock a new record, photo finish, distance runner, century runTennis and BadmintonBest of three matches, love set, backhand, drive, doubles, racket, forehand, smash cutSwimmingTanker, aquabelle, breast stroke, plunge, springboard, tank, dive, summersaultCOPY READING AND HEADLINE WRITINGCopyreading 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.2. Shorten sentences and tighten paragraphs.3. See that the papers style requirements are strictly followed. Check names, addresses, title, designations, identifications, figures, etc.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 news which are without attribution or sources.7. Watch out for slanting or any attempt to present the story in a subtly biased way.8. Watch for libelous statements.9. Recheck figures and totals.10. Cross-out adjectives in news which tend to make a story sound over-written.11. Cut a story to size or to the required length if 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 sequences15. Write headlinesWhat to copyread?1. Errors in fact2. Errors in grammar3. Errors in structure4. Errors in style5. Libelous and derogatory statements6. Seditious and rebellious matter7. Expressions contrary to law and good taste8. Opinion and editorializing statements9. Verbal deadwood, redundancy10. Technical terms, slang, jargonsCopy-reading symbolsPunctuation MarksSymbols Meaning OutcomeThe Bionic Woman Emphasize quotes The Bionic WomanDr Arthur Cruz Jr Emphasize periods Dr. Arthur Cruz Jr.said I must go. Emphasize comma said, I must go.Numbers and Abbreviationsin Nov. Spell out in NovemberDoctor Arthur Cruz Abbreviate Dr. Arthur Cruztwenty boys Use numeral 20 boys2 girls were Spell out Two girls wereSpecial form of typeManila, philippines Capitalize MANILA, PhilippinesLetter and word changesmeet on Saturday Bridge over meet Saturdaythose b oys Close up space those boysFe Cruz Principal Transpose Principal Fe Cruzrecieve Transpose receivepamplet Insert letter pamphletwent market Insert word went to marketManila pAper Lower case Manila paperreceived free gifts Delete word received giftsjudgement Delete letter within judgmentdevelope iskill Delete before/after develop skillthe most talented and Kill the principalenthusiastic principalAllright wehave time Insert space All right we have timeWe were indeed very Run in copy We were indeed veryhappy because happy becauseOthersPaco, Manila Indent for paragraph Paco, ManilaToday he will Today he willWelfrido Cruz Spell as written Welfrido KruzOne boy came Restore text; disregard On boy camecorrectionElected prexy Center subhead Elected prexythe un - Syllabicate the un-finished task finished taskThe gong Set in boldface the gongShe read Les Miserables Set in italics She read Les Miserables30 or # Story is finishedmore or ) Story is unfinishedSeminar Text continued on the(2) Next page# - folio copy See copy as writtenNote: To arrange paragraphs just place the number (e.g. #1, #3) of the corresponding paragraphs in the left portion of the copy.SAMPLE COPY TESTSlug line: ________________________Headline: _____________________________ No. of units: ____________The PNU elementary school launch the anual cleanliness & beatification contest September 16 at the school social hole.In a mating with Presidents and vice-presidents of each class from Grade III to Gr. Six, Mrs. Alegria Flora Principal explain the prosedures to folow.According to the principal, its class class will be given an areas to cleaned. Ones a week, school officials will vissit the area and chose the cleanest amongst them.Prices will be awarded to the class whos area will be pick the cleanest for 3 times. ThThis will give insentives to the students explained Mrs. Flores.The handsome and intelligent Mr. Garcia Ramon, vocation al teacher who facilitated the meeting told the studes that thru the contest cooperation will be developedwhile order and cleanliness be maintained.Congrattulations Mrs. GarciaHeadliningIt is easy to write the news headline. Just look at the first paragraph called the lead which contains the gist, Just write the gist of that lead.Dos and donts in writing traditional headlines1. Make your headline answer as many Ws as possible.2. The headline should summarize the news story, but must avoid using all the words used in the lead. It should contain nothing that is not found in the story.3. Positive heads are preferable to negative ones. School physician allays flu fear is better than Flu epidemic not rampant in city.4. Out a verb expressed or implied in every deck.5. Omit articles like a, an, and the, and all forms of the verb to be (is, are, be, etc.), unless needed to make the meaning clear.6. Use the strongest word in the first line as much as possible.7. The active verb is better than the passive verb in headlines (Food production drive intensified; RPs lost image abroad regained)8. Use the present tense for past stories and the infinitive form for future stories (Archbishop Sin bats for national reconciliation; Lantern parade to cap Xmas affairs).9. Write numbers in figures or spell them out depending upon your needs for your unit counts.10. Avoid heads that carry double meaning.11. Use only common abbreviations.Punctuating a headline1. Use a comma in place of the conjuction and2. Two related thoughts should be separated with a semicolon.3. The dash may be used in smaller decks but not for headlines in large types.4. The single quotation marks are used in headlines.5. Follow the other rules of punctuations.Unit counting in headline unit - jiltf and all punctuations except the em dash (--), and the question mark (?)1 unit - the question mark, space, all figures, capital JILTF, all lower case letters except jiltf1 units - the em dash, lower case m and w, and all capital letters except capital M and W and JILTF2 units - capital M, WHeadline vocabulary (Formula: subject-verb-object ala text message)1. Faculty club strengthened (beefed up)2. Enrolment decreases (dips)3. Science examinations announced (quiz bared)4. Contests highlight Animal Week (cap)5. Santos urges cooperation (bats for, calls for)6. DepEd disapproves tuition fee increase (bucks, nixes, axes)7. Ateneo wins 12 medals in press contest (bags, romp away with; tilt, parley)8. Principal praises editors humility (lauds, extols)9. Local staff dominates press tilt (rules, lords over)10. Local basketball players retain championship (sluggers; crown)11. US attacks Russ nuclear test (hits)12. Laurel ends diplomatic tour (winds up)13. Cops ended syndicate (busted)14. Slay suspect questioned (grilled, probed)15. RP sees import hike (eyes)16. 456 pass bar exams (hurdle)17. Lim dismisses 5 cops (fires)18. RP-Malaysia dispute solved (row)19. Fiscal dismiss rape charge (dismiss; rap)20. Import talk delayed (snagged)Mga halimbawaHuwag gumamit ng pangalan maliban kung kilala itoMaliJaime Diaz, nahalal na panguloTamaMag-aaral ng Mapa, nahalal na pangulo ng samahanMaging tiyak (specific)MaliMag-aaral, nagwagi sa paligsahanTamaMag-aaral ng Mapa, nagwagi sa pagsulat ng balitaIwasan ang opinyon sa balitaMaliPaaralang Datu Puti, lumaro ng kahanga-hangaTamaPaaralang Datu Puti, nanalo ng 3 sa 4 na labanLagyan ng pandiwa ang bawat uloMaliLimang guro sa seminarTamaLimang guro, dadalo sa seminarIwasan ang paggamit ng negatibong pandiwaMaliPaligsahan sa talumpatian, hindi matutuloyTamaPaligsahan sat al;umpatian, pinagpalibanGumamit ng makakatawag-pansing pandiwaMahinaTinato ng Ateneo ang St. Joseph, 50-36MalakasPinataob ng Ateneo ang St. Joseph, 50-36Gamitin ang maikli at kilalang salitaMasalitaBayang Pilipinas, sasali sa pandaigdig na palaroMaikliRP, sasali sa olimpiyadaIwasan ang paggamit ng pantukoy at ng pandiwang pantulong nahango saverb to beMaliSi Japhet Burgos ay ang napiling punong patnugot ng RipplesTamaJaphet Burgos, napiling punong patnugot ng RipplesEDITORIAL CARTOONINGIt is an editorial page illustration expressing opinion and interpretation (a column or opinion in cartoon form). The word cartoon is derived from two words: caricature and lampoon.A caricature is an exaggerated description, generally by sketching. It is a pictorial representation of a person or thing in which a defect or peculiarity is exaggerated so as to produce a ludicrous effect.A lampoon, on the other hand, is a piece of malicious writing, a personal-written satire that attacks and ridicules.A good cartoon appeals to the readers sense of humor in order to persuade him/her to accept an opinion.How to conceptualize?1. Read/listenresearch your facts well.2. Decide on your point of view or angle of your chosen issue.3. Make your comment on the issue.4. Translate your comment into coordinating, representative graphic symbols (e.g. crocodile for corrupt officials and typewriter for press)5. Take into consideration the papers target readers.6. Sketch/make doodles.7. Draw your final cartoon.Ways to present your view1. Take the issue to a ridiculous situation.2. Exaggerate the effect of an issue.3. Use clich or something contemporary or in.4. Juxtapose or put together two events, even unrelated ones.5. Take quotes literally. Play with words.6. Consider the occasion.7. Make an interesting artwork.8. Caricature a political figure and add a punch line.Tips for cartooning1. Limit the use of words and labels.2. Use universal symbols, those which can be understood at once by your intended reader.3. Have your own style. Do not copy or plagiarize.4. If your cartoon is about the editorial for the day, it must reinforce the stand stated in the piece.5. Choose a most interesting issue and express your comment in an arresting way.6. Do not clutter your cartoon with unnecessary details or complicate your drawing with artistic touches. These will just distract from the impact of the cartoon. Minimal is better.7. Cover your cartoon with a frame or border.8. Use shading to make your article more convincing.Steps in Editorial CartooningDr. Net Billones, one of the countrys top cartoonists, suggests the following steps:1. List down the subjects to choose from.2. Once the subject is chosen, ask what is the issue? What is the papersopinion about the issue?Example:IssuePress freedomOpinionThe government is going back to the martial law days as far as press freedom is concerned.3. Decide the symbols to be usedExample:GovernmentGMAPress freedombird (dove) flying, typewriter, school paperRepressionchain, scissors, slingshot, bar4. Draw the cartoon.