Editing
- Suman Acharya
- Copy reading or proof reading
Copy reading
mainly includes the correction of manuscript using various kinds of proof
reading symbol. Copy reading is the process of finding out any mistake after
reciting by copy reader and improving mistake by copy holder which is, in fact,
old practices. Modern technology including computer and other have played
significant role in the course of action of proof reading replacing the old
tiresome and turbulent job of proof reader.
Before the application of modern technology,
there were, at least, two people were necessary where one copy reader used to
read aloud the subject matter and copy holder used to make correction on the
basis of pronunciation of copy reader. But now, even single individual can make
proof reading without the assistance of other people, even without using
various proofreading symbol in computer. General mistake especially in English
language is corrected by language software of computer. For example, Microsoft
words shows general mistake of language except facts, figure and name. However,
it doesn't mean we should use only this modern technology but we can use both
traditional and modern technique. So proof reading means reading a proof copy
of the text in order to detect and correct any mistakes.
So the step of
copy reading or process of a proof-reading can be summarized as follows.
a.
Use of best
typography
It should be as
per the text and reader's interest like Verdana, Times New Roman, Annapurna, Kantipur etc as per the language and its
various style of font like Italic, bold, Underline including the border and
shading is looked to make it fit in assigned place. .
b.
Use of Symbols for proof-reading
There are
various proofreading symbol which are generally used to make any correction or
improvement and used to put these symbol especially in margin of left or right
or where the exact mistake occurred which makes the proofreader noticeable to
mistake. For example,
# Keep space
= Make close
§ Delete
NP Next paragraph
W.f. Wrong typeface
Bf. Make bold
SP. Use letter than number etc.
c.
Proofreading
time and again
Proofreading
should be made fully without undertaking any small mistake in the text. So it
should be as follows.
a.
Cultivate a healthy sense of doubt. If there are types of errors you
know you tend to make, double check for those.
b.
Read very slowly. If
possible, read out loud. Read one word at a time.
c.
Read what is actually
on the page, not what you think is there. (This is the most difficult sub-skill
to acquire, particularly if you wrote what you are reading).
d.
Proofread more than
once. If possible, work with someone else.
d.
Duties and limitations of proof-reader:
If there is any
mistake in newspaper, the credibility of this media will be lost. So proof
reader has very crucial role to make grammatically correct language in any
reporting or news or article or column or feature. So the function of proof
reader is as follows.
1.
Proofreader should improve language in his responsible
area.
2.
He/she shouldn't distort the meaning as written by
reporter or other.
3.
But they can select best font style or typography as
per the text.
4.
He/she should make proofreading as per House style of given media house.
5.
He/she should finish their job within deadline
otherwise it will be delay to be published or broadcasted.
6.
Symbol used by them should be understandable by printer
and other.
7.
Proofreader should carry his or her duty in
collaboration with subeditor or copyeditor.
8.
So the function of proofreader is to fit original copy
prepared by copyeditor into computerized copy.
e.
Tips for proofreader
a.
Don't use only computer software only, use your mind
too.
b.
Proofread for only one kind of error at a time
c.
Read slowly and every word
d.
Circle every punctuation word
e.
Ignorance can't make you a good proofreader
f.
It is learning process. So, never hesitate.
g.
Read the paper backward
h.
Separate the text into individual sentence.
·
Sub-editing
The
sub-editing is the process to sub copy to make it fit to print which includes
collecting, selecting, arranging, reducing, framing, translating and adaptingfor publication according to the importance of the copy.
2.
text handling
3.
style
4.
spelling and grammar
5.
writing strong headlines, stand firsts and captions
6.
law for sub
7.
proof-reading
8.
type
9.
Working
within deadlines.
So, the function ob subeditor may be expressed as follows;
- Checking of facts from the view-point of truth, accuracy and balance.
- Skills in grammar and word usage, punctuation, spelling, style, fact checking, use of reference books, and writing headlines and captions will be taught and developed through assignments.
- Be acquainted with the most common errors that copy editors fix and have experience in finding those errors.
- Know what the copy editor's standard reference books are and what a copy editor is expected to look up.
- Know the standard proofreader's marks and be able to use them.
- Be familiar with news-industry terms concerning page design, layout, and typography.
- Know the different requirements of working on electronic systems (computer) and on paper (manuscript).
- Understand the mechanics of writing headlines and captions.
- Know the function of a style book and the importance of consistency in style.
- attention on Word usage
- checking facts and figure
- Within an article: determination of proper names dates (chronology), etc.
- Within a graphics: determination of layout (abbreviations, capitalization, fonts, etc.)
- In a multi-page layout (body text, headlines, captions, art elements)
- In a story package, i.e. multiple stories, sidebars
- making queries to the author
Function of sub editor
1.
Text handling
2.
Style
3.
Spelling and grammar
4.
Writing strong headlines stand firsts and
captions
5.
Law for sub
6.
Proof-reading
7.
Type
8.
Working within deadlines.
Distinction
of sub-editor from reporter
The
job of reporter is to gather news and write it for their organization whereas a
subeditor makes it fit to print. Reporters go out in the field while subeditors
work at the news desk where all the news that comes, is selected, edited, each
news story is given a suitable headline and its place in newspaper is decided.
But
reporting and editing sides aren't water tight compartments. Reporters can
exchange places with subeditors. In many newspapers it is a routine. A sub
editor is sent on a reporting assignment many a time. He is also asked to write
news items from the hands out that land up in a newspaper office when reporters
are away.
·
Rewriting of news
Rewriting
of news is one of the most important functions of sub editors which deal with
creating a new manuscript or a part of manuscript from information supplied by
others in their preliminary writing. It is necessary to make the news story
better than first writing of reporters. If the story isn't concise and well
managed with basic ingredients of news, then rewriting is necessary. Generally
rewriting function is taken by editor but sometime reporter himself can be
asked to rewrite his or her copy of news.
Why re-write
a news story
All
the reporters aren't equally competent in their writing. Sometimes, the issues
of reporting make them difficult to run the story smoothly. In such a
situation, rewriting is necessary. The copy editors should first read a story
of the reporter and ask them rewrite again. If the copy editors have enough
time, he can rewrite news story himself.
Editing
is to edit the news but rewrite means to write the story again. It means the
more load lies with a rewriting of news than editing. If copy editors get many
mistakes not only in terms of language, grammars but also in terms of theme of
news structures including facts, figure and details, in that case, rewriting is
utmost things. If the most important part of the news story put at the
last of the news, if the lead isn't supported by 5wh, reporter himself or
subeditor makes rewriting under the guidance of master copy.
There are many
cub reporters, stringers, and junior reporters in newspapers who have little
idea over news story. Therefore, to trim these reports and get the beautiful
news story disseminated in news media, rewriting is necessary. So,
rewrite involves major surgery into their entire story or a part of it too.
- To make news story clear: To make the wording of the news story clear and simply understandable to general people, rewriting is necessary.
- To make news story relevant to context: If target group don't ready to take news story as reliable and concerned to them, disseminating such news can't produce any positive effect over them. So, to make news story relevant to context, rewriting is necessary.
- To follow the rule of brevity: Long writing can't attract the eyes of people. Sometime short writing too can't be attractive to them. So, rewriting is necessary to make news story understandable.
- To make writing consistent: Dubious facts shouldn't be presented in news story. If it is, rewriting is necessary.
- To get freedom from errors: A lot of grammatical mistakes, syntax, word selection, typos, and misspelling can spoil reader's experience. To correct it, rewriting is necessary.
What are its
norms and limits?
- While rewriting, theme of news story shouldn't be distorted.
- Reporter or subeditor shouldn't add their own opinion.
- sub editor or reporter should check out facts, dates and historical records
- The editorial tools should be consulted with for checking facts: reference section, Almanac, World atlas, dictionaries, etc.
- While rewriting, rewriter should follow style book of concerned media house.
- They shouldn't forget to correct mistakes.
- The rewriter should follow: Accurate, Balance and Credible writing thorough, fair and readable the stories.
·
Editorial freedom
Editorial independence is the freedom of editors or editorial board to
make decisions without interference from the owners of a publication. Editorial
independence is tested, for instance, if a newspaper runs articles that may be
unpopular with its advertising customers.
The editorial board is a group of people, usually at a print
publication, who dictate the tone and direction the publication's editorials
will take.
Editorial
boards meet on a regular basis to discuss the latest news and opinion trends
and discuss what the newspaper should say on a range of issues. They will then
decide who will write what editorials and for what day. When such an editorial
appears in a newspaper, it is considered the institutional opinion of that
newspaper.
At
some newspapers, the editorial board will also review wire service and
syndicated columns for inclusion on the editorial page or op-ed page.
Some
newspapers, particularly small ones, do not have an editorial board, choosing
instead to rely on the judgment of a single editorial page editor.
Book
and magazine publishers will often use their editorial boards to review or
select manuscripts or articles, and sometimes to check facts.
- Column writing
A column is a recurring piece or article
in a newspaper, magazine or other publication. Columns are written by
columnists. Therfefore, column is a regular feature or series of articles in a
newspaper, magazine, or the like, usually having a readily identifiable heading
and the byline of the writer or editor, that reports or comments upon a
particular field of interest, as politics, theater, or etiquette, or which may
contain letters from readers, answers to readers' queries, etc
What
differentiates a column from other forms of journalism is that it meets each of
the following criteria:
- It is a regular feature in a publication
- It is personality-driven by the author
- It explicitly contains an opinion or point of view
A columnist is a journalist who writes
for publication in a series, creating copy that can sometimes be strongly
opinionated. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications,
including blogs on the Internet. Readers often open a publication with an
expectation of reading a new essay by a specific writer who offers a personal
point of view. Some columnists appear on a daily basis and later reprint the
same material in book collections.
Types of column
·
Advice Column: An advice
column is a column at a magazine or newspaper written by an advice
columnist . The image presented was originally of an older woman providing
comforting advice and maternal wisdom, hence the name "aunt". An
advice columnist can also be someone who gives advice to people who send in
problems to the newspaper. An advice columnist answers readers' queries on
personal problems, in particular giving advice about health problems. The
nominal writer may be a pseudonym, or in effect a brand name; the accompanying
picture may bear little resemblance to the actual author.
·
Critic Column: The word critic
comes from the Greek words
named Kriticos that means
"able to discern", which refers a person who offers reasoned judgment
or analysis, value judgment, interpretation, or observation. The term can be
used to describe an adherent of a position disagreeing with or opposing the
object of criticism. Modern critics include professionals or amateurs who
regularly judge or interpret performances or other works (such as those of
artists, scientists, musicians, or actors), and typically publish their
observations, often in periodicals. Critics are numerous in certain fields,
including art, music, film, theatre or drama, restaurant, and scientific
publication critics. Many magazines feature editorials, mainly by the editor or
publisher of the publication. Additionally, most print publications feature an
editorial, or letter from the editor, sometimes followed by a Letters to the
Editor section.
·
Gossip
Column: It is idle talk
or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others. It forms
one of the oldest and most common means of sharing (unproven) facts and views,
but also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and other variations
into the information transmitted. The term also carries implications that the
news so transmitted (usually) has a personal or trivial nature, as opposed to
normal conversation. The term is sometimes used to specifically refer to the
spreading of dirt and misinformation, as (for example) through excited
discussion of scandals. Some newspapers carry "gossip columns" which
detail the social and personal lives of celebrities or of élite members of
certain communities.
·
Humour Column: It is the tendency of
particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement.
Many theories exist about what humour is and what social function it serves.
People of all ages and cultures respond to humour. The majority of people are
able to be amused, to laugh or smile at something funny, and thus they are
considered to have a "sense of humour." A sense of humour is the ability to experience humour, although the
extent to which an individual will find something humorous depends on a host of
variables, including geographical location, culture, maturity, level of
education, intelligence, and context. For example, young children may possibly
favour slapstick, such as Punch and Judy puppet shows or cartoons (e.g., Tom
and Jerry). Satire may rely more on understanding the target of the humour, and
thus tends to appeal to more mature audiences. Nonsatirical humour can be
specifically termed "recreational drollery."
·
Food
Column: A food column is a type of newspaper
column dealing with food. It may be focused on recipes, health trends, or
improving efficiency. It is generally geared towards gourmets or
"foodies".
Op-ed page
The editorial page, also known as the
opinion page, is the page reserved in a newspaper or magazine for the
publication's editorial. Frequently letters to the editor, the masthead, and
editorial cartoons are also printed here or continued on to the Op-ed page.
An op-ed, abbreviated from opposite the editorial page (though
often believed to be abbreviated from opinion-editorial),
is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a named writer who is
usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board. These are different
from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written by editorial board
members. Op-eds are so named because they are generally printed on the page
opposite the editorial.
Although
standard editorial pages have been printed by newspapers for many centuries,
the first modern op-ed page was created in 1921 by Herbert Bayard Swope of The New York Evening World. When he
took over as editor in 1920, he realized that the page opposite the editorials
was "a catchall for book reviews, society boilerplate, and
obituaries." He is quoted as writing:
"It
occurred to me that nothing is more interesting than opinion when opinion is
interesting, so I devised a method of cleaning off the page opposite the
editorial, which became the most important in America... and thereon I decided to
print opinions, ignoring facts.