Editing

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;

1. Checking of facts from the view-point of truth, accuracy and balance.
2. 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.
3. Be acquainted with the most common errors that copy editors fix and have experience in finding those errors.
4. Know what the copy editor's standard reference books are and what a copy editor is expected to look up.
5. Know the standard proofreader's marks and be able to use them.
6. Be familiar with news-industry terms concerning page design, layout, and typography.
7. Know the different requirements of working on electronic systems (computer) and on paper (manuscript).
8. Understand the mechanics of writing headlines and captions.
9. Know the function of a style book and the importance of consistency in style.
10. attention on Word usage
11.  checking  facts and figure
12. Within an article: determination of proper names dates (chronology), etc.
13. Within a graphics: determination of layout (abbreviations, capitalization, fonts, etc.)
14. In a multi-page layout (body text, headlines, captions, art elements)
15. In a story package, i.e. multiple stories, sidebars
16. 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.

1. To make news story clear: To make the wording of the news story clear and simply understandable to general people, rewriting is necessary.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. To make writing consistent: Dubious facts shouldn't be presented in news story. If it is, rewriting is necessary.
5. 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?

1. While rewriting, theme of news story shouldn't be distorted.
2. Reporter or subeditor shouldn't add their own opinion.
3. sub editor or reporter should check out facts, dates and historical records
4. The editorial tools should be consulted with for checking facts: reference section, Almanac, World atlas, dictionaries, etc.
5. While rewriting, rewriter should follow style    book of concerned media house.
6. They shouldn't forget to correct mistakes.
7. 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.