Copy reading is 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.

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Duties of a copyreader:

1. 1. Straighten out ungrammatical construction.

2. Shorten sentences and tighten paragraphs.

3. See that the paper’s 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 sequences

15. Write headlines

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What to copyread

1. 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

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Copyreading Symbols

(NOTE: THE SYMBOLS ARE NOT PRINTED HERE DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, BUT INTERESTED

PARTIES MAY EMAIL THE JOT BLOG ADMINISTRATOR AT h_lagon@yahoo.com SO THE ACTUAL LIST OF

SYMBOLS WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU FRESH AND UNADULTERATED.)

1. Punctuation Marks

Symbols Meaning Outcome

The Bionic Woman Emphasize quotes “The Bionic Woman”

Dr Arthur Cruz Jr Emphasize periods Dr. Arthur Cruz Jr.

said “I must go.” Emphasize comma said, “I must go.”

2. Numbers and Abbreviations

in Nov. Spell out in November

Doctor Arthur Cruz Abbreviate Dr. Arthur Cruz

twenty boys Use numeral 20 boys

2 girls were… Spell out Two girls were…

3. Special form of type

Manila, philippines Capitalize MANILA, Philippines

4. Letter and word changes

meet on Saturday Bridge over meet Saturday

those b oys Close up space those boys

Fe Cruz Principal Transpose Principal Fe Cruz

recieve Transpose receive

pamplet Insert letter pamphlet

went market Insert word went to market

Manila pAper Lower case Manila paper

received free gifts Delete word received gifts

judgement Delete letter within judgment

develope iskill Delete before/after word develop skill

the most talented and Kill the principal

enthusiastic principal

Allright we have time Insert space All right we have time

We were indeed very Run in copy We were indeed very

happy because happy because…

5. Others

Paco, Manila… Indent for paragraph Paco, Manila…

Today he will… Today he will…

Welfrido Cruz Spell as written Welfrido Kruz

One boy came Restore text; disregard On boy came

correction

Elected prexy Center subhead Elected prexy

the un Syllabicate the un-

finished task finished task

The gong Set in boldface the gong

She read Les Miserables Set in italics She read Les Miserables

30 or # Story is finished

more or ) Story is unfinished

(…2) Next page

# - folio copy See copy as written

Note: To arrange paragraphs just place the number (e.g. #1, #3) of the corresponding paragraphs in the left portion of the copy.

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SAMPLE COPYREADING MATERIAL

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 procedures 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 who’s area will be pick the cleanest for 3 times. Th

This 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 developed

while order and cleanliness be maintained.

Congrattulations Mrs. Garcia.

COPYREADING EXERCISE

Check the corresponding number of the correctly spelled word:

1. 1. ocasion

2. all-right

3. embarassment

4. inspite of

5. harrassment

6. privileges

7. commitee

8. diphtheria
 9. dessimenate

10. tommorow

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COPYREADING EXERCISE

Verbal deadwood

Column A Column B

_______ 1. for the reason that a. died

_______ 2. a larger proportion b. believes

_______ 3. at the present time c. although

_______ 4. succumbed to injuries d. now

_______ 5. at an early date e. remind

_______ 6. is of the opinion f. many

_______ 7. in the neighborhood g. near

_______ 8. in the event of h. soon

_______ 9. in spite of the fact i. because

_______ 10. draw the attention of j. if

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COPYREADING EXERCISE

Redundancy
 1. The final conclusion revealed that the dead corpse was a victim of a fatal murder.

2. The other alternative is to get some new recruits.

3. It was definitely decided to give free gifts to the underprivileged poor on Christmas.

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COPYREADING EXERCISE

Brevity

1. The play will be shown in the month of December.

2. The meeting lasted for a period of two hours.

3. These children are the ones who are influenced by indecent films.

4. The building closed its door at five o’clock p.m. in the afternoon.

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COPYREADING EXERCISE

Opinion and editorializing news articles

1. Mr. Amador Cabansag, a very energetic teacher of electricity in the famous Osmena High School, held a very successful

demonstration lesson.

2. The most efficient and knowledgeable principal represented the school in the well-known national press conference.

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COPYREADING EXERCISE

Correct Usage, Grammar, etc

1. 1. The sick man was (taken, brought) to the hospital.

 2. Where is the other (pair, mate) of this shoe?

3. It is (unhealthy, unhealthful) to stay (in, under) the hot sun.

4. The article (shaded, shed) light on the whole subject.

5. The cadets are marching (on, in, at) the campus.

6. Come to work (in, on) time or you will be (fired, fired out).

7. Put all your (bedding, beddings) away and (take, bring) your (baggage, baggages) (in, on) the corner of the room.

8. Our main concern (is, are) reference books which (is, are) very dear nowadays.

9. Five and six (is, are) eleven.

10. My friend and teacher (wants, want) me to visit her.

11. I (was, have been, had been) absent yesterday.

12. The criminal was (hang, hung, hanged) by the mob.

13. The owl unlike most birds is awake at night.

14. Claro m. Recto wrote “Abajo los cocoteros” and “Shadow and Solitude.”

15. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor (Dec. 1941; December, 1941; December 1941)

16. The birthday (celebrant, celebrator) received many gifts.

17. Mother is often tired from the (everyday, every day) chores.

18. Peter tried to (reason, reason out) to his father about his low grades.

19. The jeep (collided, crashed) against the wall of the school.

The old (is, are) richer in expertise than the young.