SUB EDITING

INTRODUCTION
Content
Introduction
• Definition
• Roles of a sub – editor
• The subbing elements
• Role of a copy taster
• The quark
• Editorial production
• Newspaper design
• Getting it together
• Designing the front page
• The down table sub
• Subs guide to type and typology
• Fighting the grey
Picture ideas
• Pictures
• Editing pictures
• Choosing pictures
• Roles of pictures
• Sources of pictures
• Stage in picture editing
TOPIC 1: SUB- EDITING
Refers to processing news information as well as photos to ensure that it fits with the space
available and is as information as possible to your readers as well as the kind of package that
will give you work an identify.
Roles of a sub- editor
• Corrects any mistake – spelling, grammar, use of appropriate language and phrases by
minimizing the use of clinches.
• Ensures that the story meets the house style of publication
• Writes captions for photos he has chosen as information as possible. He also writes an
appropriate label above the photograph.
• Writes headlines to ensure they fit the space available to try and avoid
• Chooses appropriate photos and edit item apart from ensuring that fit.
• Designs the layout of the pages.
• Cuts the stories by ensuring that they fit the available by re-writing them or cutting
some photos.
• He is on the lookout for anything rebellious and seeks the advice of his editor if in
doubt.
• Seeks clarification form corresponded, reports or any other person mentioned to fill
gaps in the story
• Rewrites the story if there is need to do so to ensure that it is a representative of the
day.
THE THREE SUBBING ELEMENTS
This refers to the 3 aspects that sub-editor will be keeping in mind during the sub- editing
process. They are
Accuracy
• Is important that news reports and features are accurate for a number of reasons, one
being that of creditability.
• For a any publication its paramount that facts is stay are correct otherwise reads are
bound to lose confidence in the event of many cases of inaccuracy, they may change
newspaper and this will be the loss of publication as sub-edition .
 • One common reason/ factor accuracy has to do with the spelling of names, people
including sources and places as well.
• Inaccuracy may also lead to expensive libel suits and its therefore the sub-editors
responsibility to ensure that these don’t occur. To do so he needs to be alert to any
statement that could have such results.
• Accuracy also ensures that your sources continues to have confidence in your work
Brevity
• This is forced upon the sub-editor by the limited space that is available especially for
hard news story. The sub- editor therefore has to follow the chiefs or editors instruction
on which all the stories should so
• To assist do this is the way hard news stories are structured and thus allows for their
cutting of end to fit.
• The brief of sentence also plays the role of ensuring that the pace of reading is first
enough to sustain interest.
Clarity
• This relates essentially to language used, the objective of publication to pass
information, educate and entertain without leaving readers suspended/ hanging
• Consequently the sub- editor will be on the lookout for any words or expressions that
result in vagueness. If these words are not serving any particular function the be struck
off but it they have a function they should be replaced to help the s-editor on this. Many
publications do have a house style to which states categorically what names are
commonly used in various fields.
ROLES OF COPY TASTER
• He is the deputy chief sub-editor. He is a senior journalist with a keen sense of news as
regards to what kind of news policy a publication has. Once he reports/feature writes is
through with his story and the chief reporter news editor or feature editor have checked
the story they get to the copy tester who discards what unsuitable for the coming editor
whether form reports. Agencies or PR material from the organizations
• He would then shortlist those selected for publication and indicate it the time they should
appear. Sometimes a copy taster raises queries in a copy with the report or source if he
feels that is a suitable item needing to have some filled.
• On the basis of the response he may choose to shortlist the stay or not.
• What is not shortlisted is put on the electronic pike to be recalled in case a query
regarding it arise from the senior executive such as the chief sub-editor, therefore a
good copy taster ought to keen notes on all stories so as to provide immediate answer to
queries raised about what has been electronically spiked from the sources.
• In his notes he should indicate who has chosen to spike certain stories, shortlist others
and the chances of those being considered to be published.
• In the process of copy tasting the copy taster should be to notice any story that he feels
has the potential of being followed up.
• In such an event he will then inform the news editor who if in agreements will sign a
report to follow up on the story issues. Those stories that he has shortlisted will be
looked at by the chief – editor who will assign them to their specific pages.
THE QUARK
Technology and the sub- editor (quark)
• In the modern news room one technological innovation that has enhanced efficiency in
new writing is the computer and by extension internet. Into merits
• Enabling the sub to make any necessary spelling corrections, adjust the lengths of
sentences and also highlight any inappropriate phase of synthax that’s wrong. Highlights
also long sentences that need shortening.
• By use of electronic means a news report can be sent directly to the sub-editors address
and he will be able to editor the story without having to copies this cost saves time and
cost.
 • By use of the same electronic means the sub can communicate with the respective
reporter and perhaps even sources if they have access to this facility. This will be in
search of clarification more details and is also cheep and relatively fast.
• The sub by use of the program in the market is in a position to design the pages of his
newspaper thereafter he can send the same information electronically to the printers
and this saves on time and accuracy.
EDITORIAL PRODUCTION
Creating news
• It is very possible to create news and this is essentially in regards to the feature gotten
from reading other publications .Watching TV listening to radio e.t.c.
• This ideas can be brain stormed among members of newsroom and from these discussion
the objective will be to find appropriate angle for the story, come up with relevant
questions if it is inform of interview. Decide how many people are required to gather a
particular information and how much space should be reserved for the story and also for
which particular editor and issue

Measuring the new

• It is important to measure news so as to ensure that every editor has a consistent
number of pages. Members who meet during the editorial conferences including the
managing editor and editors of various publication decide the number of pages.
• The person in charge of marketing will decide how many pages each editor should
have. In making these decisions they take into consideration if they’re going to publish
any features and the lifeline of newspapers or publication
• Nevertheless it may be necessary on certain occasions to increase the number of pages
within a particular session
• Some of the instances which may force this are special circumstances such as national
and international holidays, occurrence of major news e.g. the break out of war. Major
sporting events e.t.c will demand additional pages and this would be the responsibility
of the respective editor to argue his case during the additional conference
• He needs to point how many extra pages are required and it’s the members of the
management organ to give the final say. They will take into consideration the benefits
of additional page if reference to readers considered against the cost involved. However
some of these special circumstances may be fairly obvious to the other members of the
editorial team.
News pattern
• The front page normally has local news considered as significant. Nevertheless there is a
major news of any kind form around the world or even a sported news this could be
published on the front page, succeeding pages usually contain more local news at the
back page.
• Next is normally the opinion and additional pages to be followed by world news and
features in the middle sector. The order vary however these TV and radio guides usually
come in this section preferably at the last pages are usually reserved for sports though
some publication have more local news at the back pages .
News paper designs
Editing the page

• The basic principle of newspaper design apart from making the product
attractive and reliable is to give the paper identity. First impression are
important it for the newspaper to have topographical identify
• Almost as important as the quality of the paper content is its familiar identity
which encourages readers and is flexible enough not to became boring.
• A well designed newspaper aims to draw the features eye form one part of the
page to another in an orderly and intelligent version. Readers should not expect
 to lattel their ways amaze and therefore the basic rule for designing a
newspaper should be simplicity and clarity.
• The most common fault is the use of too many different headline types and text
types
• Virtually all headline types suitable for newspaper come in various weights
very light, too heavy and in various form extended to considered some also have
italics.
• The newspaper sticks to one type for its news but draws upon different members
of a family for the features page 2 or 3 different types of families differs from
the news type.
• Modern tendencies over the past years. Have been increasing news on the law
case 63 test have show that the average the readers can visually digest a
headline in lower case is easier that in caps. There’s a growing tendency among
broadcast to set their news headlines left which was pioneered by Britain’s the
guardian. It is clear and effective and complies with all funder metals of helping
the readers get the message at once.
• On life whole there is too many ways in which headlines are being set too
many straps and subsidiary headlines even with a strong front pages a major
disaster which should be possible to get the readers hooked by not more than 3
types consisting of about 8 or 9 words
Getting it together (pages)
• The advert should have been drawn in by the advert managers before the sub-editor
• The advert manager need not to make exactly which adds goes where on this family for
the sub wants to know if there`s any blank space on the page which they have to fill.
• Some newspapers have a fixed layout styles. This obviously eases the chief sub –editors
job. He only follows the established pattern and keep his team of sub-editors on their
toes.
• More and more after once somewhat a conservative of fixed layout is being replaced by
a much more stylish layout whichever it’s the experienced sub will have a sort of mental.
• The preparation of the pages by the sub for the printers should be done back to front.
Finishing with the front page so that any good latest news can be displayed
• As the adverts increases or decreases and the paper thus enlarges or reduces the pattern
can be expanded or reduced but the same effects is retained.
• The key news page should be on the early part of the paper on the odd numbered pages.
The odd numbered pages e.g, 1,3,5,7 etc are the facing pages because the readers opens
the paper, this are the pages his eyes fall upon first then shift leftwards to the pages
opposite i.e. even numbered pages.
• Most paper allow the pattern of having the night sub always handling the same no of
pages regardless of the size of the paper. This might mean they are handling the hard
news pages. The other pages might be handled by what’s called the early sub. Often the
sport department has its own subbing. This means that as the number of pages increase
due to the weight of advertisement and major news, the days sub have many pages to do
• It is by initiatives and imagination that newspapers are read better than sell more.
• Obviously chief subs have to know what the story is about before deciding where to
put item in the paper or whether not to put them on the paper at all but the facts of life is
that sub desk is under staff where the chief sub is his own copy taster and carries the
whole show through the night to the deadline.
• A sensible way for the chief sub to start work is to get his team busy on a dozen of so
small stories which is everything from 3-4 lines (fillers)
• Two photographs occupy up to 2 ½ inches while the sub are busy at this, the chief
sub can take a little time getting to group with bulk of the copies forming the night
work. The main advantage of getting these fillers done earlier is that they can be set
and held in reserve to drop into those add little spaces at the end of the columns when the
pages plans have not exactly worked out.
Designing the front page
• This is the newspaper window – If it is not inviting the readers will just pass by.
• A good front page is particularly important in developing countries where the newspaper
buying is not in trained as it is in some countries. In the developing world literacy has
rosed rapidly and yet tab are widely available. This is a tremendous opportunity for
newspapers to catch a new generation of resers with their front pages paramount to this.
• Some newspaper have a fixed layout and this cases the chief sub work. He would only
allow the established pattern and keep his team of sub on their toes but more and more
fixed or conservative layout are being replaced with flexible ones an experienced chief
sub have to sort of numeral filling cabinet of ½ a dozen designs of front pages which
he will pull out as he thinks the night news dictates.
• By the time the front page is filed to be designed, the chief sub will have put aside the
obvious lead and will have a pretty good idea of what is 2nd and 3rd lead are going to
be. But he may also be waiting for a late story about political meeting which on the
face of it doesn’t sound interesting and is deserving some space down the page whose
it would probably go. In the night when chief subsa re working on a story one of them
bring a big story, the 1st thing the chief sub will do is to plan the front page picture –
the anchor of all the pages around which the news will run.
• On a normal and column broad sheet the size will never be less than double column and
then only if it’s very deep double column e.g. the beauty queen being crowned by the
president.
• Much more after the front page picture will be rectangular across 3 columns if its
particularly good Pix 4 or 5 column. The chief sub will decide all theses and how he
places will determine the way he approached the main story.
• Also depended on the size of the pix will be the display of 2nd lead. If the 3 column pix
wide the probability will be that 2nd lead be doubled story alongside the pix on the right
side of the page.
• If the pix extends across the page so that only one column remains on the right of the 2nd
lead will be placed beneath the pix and the column alongside the pix will require a
strong single story
• Most chief sub having decided on their pix 4 lead treatment, their make the news fit the
rest of the pages. They just draw a good looking pattern and set like copy accordingly.
• There are two faults in the makeup of a lot of front pages. They are either so crowded
that the effect on the reader is lost.
The down table sub
Qualities need for the ordinary sub:
• A well organized mind which can work under pressure. Stories come from different
directions their media houses may take the services of more than 1 agencies and the sub
will have to very quickly access and integrates all the stories and make one intelligible
while probably ¼ of their total length.
• A suspicious mind is the sense that he approaches not only every story but every fact
story with the possibility may be hidden somewhere.
• A good sense of timing newspaper are produced to deadline and it’s not good re-
writing and positing a story that miss deadline.
• A good sub has kind of ability of getting to the heart of the story quickly can scheme
through as many as 20 newspaper agenesis or local copy and find the right intro at
once.
• An understanding on when /when not to write. Generally speaking there is too much
rewriting by the subs. The sub should remember to prepare the copy for the printers
according to the pattern of the chief sub it the story before him is perfectly clear and
straight forward, then it needs a clear market.
• Shouldn’t assume even in this age of initials that every reader will know what an initial
means e.g. OAU.
 • Ability to do what he is told by the chief sub this sounds so elementary as the need say
but its remarkable the number of subs who done serve a story as ordered by the chief
sub. The main fault is having the head bouncing after a headline is written in different
type from the one specified by the chief sub.
• The ability to access the length of a copy not what the copy will make in a single
column but also how deep the into will be when the chief sub instructions are followed.
Ability to asses almost at a glance how much type in a copy is essential. It’s very useful
particularly for new persons and sub desk ot have a space count table not measuring of
headline types but also body types the paper uses.
Understanding type of topography
• Topography refers to the representation of which in copy and there are various ways in
which this can be achieved. All sub need a certain minimum knowledge of topography
but the minimum is pretty how.
• Any sub who wants to move into executive jobs in a popular newspaper need not only
although knowledge of type but also the kind of fields for it which will enable him to
design successful pages. Acknowledge of an attitude for topography and design are now
essential part of equipment of an executive on the front side of the newspaper for the
newspaper news and it design are an absolutely inseparable part of the same process.
It is possible to put into a page the most exciting and stimulating news stories and yet
have which is quite appealing yet not existing or simulative for the newspaper point of
view.
• A sub who has some expertize in this field has an advantage over colleagues of the
table who don’t . reports are also better at their jobs if when they have written they copy
they can see in mind eye how it might look settling different ways and of course of the
very many small papers and even big ones the reporters write their own areas
How type is measured
• The size of type is measured in pb a point being 0.01883 of an inch which gives
approximate 72 points to the inches thus it would seem to follow that 72 point letter to
the inch deep. The measurement refers not to the type of size and how it will appear
when written but the depth of the body of metal on which the letters stands. The p ½
size approximately to the low case alphabet form the top the highest ascend to the
bottom of the lowest descended. The middle part of the type of ascender and
descender is known as the x height it is as big as lower case letter and for that matter
any other letter which does not have ascender and descender .
• One factor to be considered in relation to the size of type is that though 2 faces
nay be the same size one of them may look very much bigger. This is caused to a
large extent by the variation in what is known as the right of different types if
the x height is big in proportion to life of type is known big on the body. The
ascender or descender will be proportionately smaller. The optical effect of a type
size is also influenced by what’s closely called 1/5 color which itself consist of
2 factors : weight and width. The heavier the width a phase is the more emphatic
its appearances. The most dramatic contrast is between alight narrow phase and
heavy phase with large x height. The width to which type is set is expressed not
in point but in pica ems. The ems is the square of any given body depth.
• Columns widths are always measured in pica ems also called Ems in most English
newspaper. Almost newspaper column have column width of 10,11,or 12 cm and
height is a ½ an ems also called en.
• There are 2 main families of type and there are hundreds of type phases. But for the
newspaper person the grandmother and grandfather of all of them are serif and san
serif. You can do all sorts of things walk lettering out all came back to serif or scan serif.
The page consists of 3 colors: black, white and grey. The trick is to use little grey as
possible. Grey is a depressing color that of a great slap of text type broken by sufficient
black and white .
FIGHTING THE GREY
Paragraphing
Good paragraphing is considerable aid to legibility 4 popular newspaper using a narrow column.
Measures the short paragraph says 4-6 line which is the easiest 4 readers. The optical breaks
give him arrest before carrying on reading the next thought it should be bound in mind
however, that the wide the measure the longer the paragraph need. A story set across for 1 ½
column will have strips of worth running across it. If the paragraph are very short b3 of the last
lines having 2 or 3 words this could be even more marked if the text had been sized up to 10
or 12 points, the strip will be little bit more than 10 and 12 points. Jack lines or widow or
whatever those odd words occupying a whole line are called in your office they are space
wasting and too many of them give a patchy appearances to a pieces of settling cut them out
as soon as you see them in proof.
Leading
The correct use of horizontally white space is important to the appearance of a page the place
where lead can effectively be used is between paragraph and indeed there should be some there.
Black bold and italics
The text variance is useful but need to be used sparingly too much black gives a page very
spotty appearance too much italics is weekending.
Indention
Is having paragraph not reaching the end, leaving gaps on the sides. This can be 2 ways. The
whole paragraph indented on additional em so that the 1st line is indented 2 cm and the rest of
the paragraph i.e.m hence the instruction 2+1.
The whole paragraph indented on iem each side.
Setting styles
A part form standard pull out which many news paper have abandoned because of lightness
and whiteness, there are 5 setting styles is common usage of
Nut each side
Setting instruction vary from office to office included, NES nut els1/2 nut each end. There, the
whole story is indented of the body each side.
EM each side
It`s written as em els or lels
Pica each side
Also written as pica 2/5
Full and one
Here the normal paragraph indention is reversed so that the 1st line of the paragraph is set
full measure and the rest indented iem left instruction are full + 1,0+1 or hanging indent ending
according to office that is.
Full an one nut right
Same as (d) but with a nut indent on the right many newspaper prefer this style to (d) we nut
right full +1 nut right , full +inr.0+inr .
Sub heads
Falls in to 2 main styles
Cross heads – it is centered on the text and should be less than the text width or the story will
be sliced into sections and also of similar width to avoid an indent appearance.
Side – head - set – it the left of the text. A story s set bigger inside should have side heads
indented bigger left otherwise, an ugly over hand will result. The function of the ordinary sub
head is not primary indicates optical which serve to rest the leaders eye as he blowese through
the actual text. Its not possible to give the real guidance on the frequency in which the sub head
will be used because this is largely a visual thing. The most to be said is that narrow columns
need more subheads than wide columns. Types of cross – heads and side heads can be divided
into 2 main groups.
Black of text – is the oldest most common from breakup there is because it’s the most
compatible with the available resources.
Large than text - provides a far more satisfactory break up for the body matter and large
number of suitable phases are available. It is essential to choose which can be send with speed
and simplicity. Larger that text subjects can come in 2 main styles.
Marching with display either in gaps or lower cases
Contrasting phase
Spacing of sub- heads needs the greatest care if they are serving their full optical function,
the reason is simple sub-heads provide the sub editor with the easiest way out if a story
drops too long/short. A desirable spacing will be of black of text 5 pages above and 4 points
below, while for a larger than text 7 point five above and 4 below. The variation can be as the
effect of relating the subhead closely to the to the sector it covers. One breakable rule on single
subheads is that they should never be allowed to turn into the 2nd line. These are either
resolved of the major story or plan with as much as to establish them. Provide major brake
story occupying the greater part of a page or perhaps introduce a special story occupying the
greeter part of a page or perhaps introduce a special effect into a long side column story. This
kind of subheads can be grouped into 4 main varieties.
Underscored – (underline) shouldn’t be over done for its usefulness will be lost care should
be taken that the thickness of the score bears some relations to the weight of the type above. If
too light, it will pass almost unnoticed and if too heavy it will kill the sub head. Beware of
using decorative rules as underscores apart from overpowering the worth, you will have an
ultra feature effect and need using extreme case even on features.
Multi – lined head – this need long story to justify their existence for they are both space
consuming and obstruction put in the way of the dear flows of the story yet they shouldn’t be
ignored for they are a splendid device for dividing long read into some compartments. With
two sub heads, consistent shape is needed to give visual identify for cross heads and short
long for side heads.
Useful variance especially in establishing a theme in a story is the s/head which consist of lines
of caps and one of lower case. Roman caps and roman lower case
Roman caps’ and italics lower case
Italics caps and italic low case
Combining italic caps and Romans lower case produces an unhappy distortion
Boxed – sub head – here are 3 things to watch
Ensure the box is narrow than the text preferably a pica or sofor the read flow will be affected.
Ensure the rule is not too heavy that it kills the type with jump abrasively out of the page, a
fine rule is normally adequate but the small for border is also attractive.
Break the rules top and bottom to lessen the effect of the box.
Decorative subheads
Of use only if feature pages and are to be used with caution. A common from is to proceed the
subhead with the margins struck, black for heavier phase and open for light phase. All these
tricks need careful handling until you are quite sure what the effect will be.

PICTURE IDEAS
Pictures
A news copy is often companied by photos because as Chinese said a good pix is worth a
1000 words. Pix are not space fillers and include photos, graphics and any other similar
illustrations. Research has shown that most newspaper readers recall more easily the main pix
on a given day that days widely read news story.
Source of pictures
Photographer and artists – they may be working on an assignment with instructions as to the
desired kind of pix which probably relates to a story. However the more experienced are less
likely to need instructions. On other occasions, they may take pix of things they find to be news
worthy while off duty in the former case a photographer is expected to submit samples of pixs
which choices will be made.
Freelance features writers and photographers
Freelance feature s depending on the subject they are writing on has to provide the pix if the
media house does not. In that case they either have to take pixs themselves or hire someone to
do it or they either subject pin. Freelance photographers on the other hand engage in the is
activity in order to earn living. Therefore they must seek news worthy events and submit them
it a media house hoping they will be selected sometimes they are hired by media houses to
work on a specific assignments.
News agencies
Media houses do subscribe to variety of new agencies for given length of time so as to obtain
content for which its tough is in no position too. These contents a part form stories will also
include pix which will not necessarily accompany the story. Media organizations with such an
arrangement will not have to pay any extra fee.
The library
Some stories don’t s require a fresh pix and in such cases the editor can resort to pixs taken
ago. Such stories may include those anniversaries e.g. independent day. What is important is
that there is no distortion.
Pix agencies and pix libraries
They take photos of significant events will expect a reproduction fee for every pix used. The
same agencies may give a pix library on selected subjects on which the newspaper opt to use for
the economic and time every pix reproduced will also have to be paid for.
Pr depths of Pr agencies
These may have pix along with stories or without and which the newspaper may considerer
news worthy such include accessions the company may have on the lunching of new product.
Amateur
These are not taking pix for commercial purposes by may find themselves in the right place and
time consequently may have the kind of pictures need by the publication and which they can
sell to them. This would be despite the fact in most cases the pictures couldn’t be of the highest
quality.
Factors to consider when choosing pictures for Newspaper production
Technical excellence
For a photo to be used it has to be of high quality and this means being sharp, bright well focused
and composed. This will enhance the appeal to readers eye however a photo may be used despite
its effect editorial value over- riding technical profession.
Editorial value
Is most certainly the 1st to consideration that’s kept in mind. It refers to the news worthiness
or value of the photo has to the overall quality of the paper it has to either convey
information educate or entertain readers. Any contribution of these 3 will be okay.
Legal implication
Any photo that’s used by a publication must be that for which a publication has a right to use.
In addition any photo of prohibited areas must be avoided. Also the photos that could lead to
libel as a result of the editing process or due to camera tricks shouldn’t be used.
Space limitation
In case where photo hasn’t been edited a place on page before being designed, chances are that
the late arriving photo might not fit in the space reserved. The photo might have to be cropped to
fit the space, the result being an awkward looking photo. This may force the editors to pick a
photo they`d not have preferred.
Good taste
In choosing photos, you must keep in mind that they do not end up offending your readers,
this may have to do with the prevailing moral stories and the need to avoid obscene photos.
Photos will also be offensive e.g. the next of kins or those readers that are easily put off by
graphic photos.
Roles of picture
• To fight the grey
• To describe and depict situation
• To illustrate a story
• Attracts reads attention especially the front page
 • Entertainment of cartoons
• For designing the part of the front page
• For identification e.g. arbitraries
• For advertising purposes
EDITING PICTURES
Cropping
• Having made all the decisions the picture editor proceeds to the editing, the
photograph may then be cropped that is be cropped that is cutting out unwanted
background or modifying the properties of the picture to make it perhaps narrower than
the original photograph.
• Cropping marks are made with pencils on the back of the print using a light table for
holding the print against a window or up to the light so that the image can be seen.
• Alternatively pin holes may be made as a guide or a chin graph pencil used on the
emulsion surfaces of the photograph the mark being wiped off after use.
• Whatever marks are made on the back should be drawn lightly using a suft pencil so
that they can easily be erased it at anytime the picture is to be edited.
• Cropping lines are drawn with the aid of a rules and the sides should be a reasonably
upright rectangle the side should form a reasonably upright rectangle
• Cropping may be considered in two ways:
• Cropping done to improve the picture i.e. cutting away unnecessary background or
cropping to emphasize some particular aspects of the photograph.
• Cropping also is done so that the picture will fit into a certain specific dimension that is
cropping for size.
• Some photographs regard it almost as an insult it their prints are cropped by the editor
although this shows lack of understanding of the editors problem.
• The latter likes to have some magic’s for cropping so that they may cut it at the sides
in order so that the picture will be 12 cm deep instead of 10 cm when scaled across
three columns. Unless he can do so it may be impossible to attain the desired depth.
• In cropping for content of subject matter there are no hard and fast rules. Each picture is
different and each must therefore be handled in its own special way. All that can be
said is that the essential should be dramatized and the inessential discard.
• Generally one will avoid a square picture. It tends to be static and lifeless. Most
photographs either suggest a vertical or horizontal emphasis and they should be
exploited by the editor .
• Newspaper tend to make pictures as large as possible consistent with the demands for
space by other page feature. Editorial value will always override technical perfections.
• If the photograph is important and dramatic, play it big even though it may be blurred
hexyls or out of focus. The bigger the picture the less this faults seem to matter.
• Contrast is the key to page design and the big picture may be contrasted relatively
small picture in the same page.
• Pictures news appear in your newspaper in isolation they are accompanied by text
headlines borders or rules and probably other pictures the editor is influenced therefore
by space consideration.
• Importantly picture sometimes arrive late in the editors table the page on which they
scheduled may already be complete with only one space to be filled. It s size and
shape will detect how the photograph has to be shaped.
• Squeezing pictures into pre-determined areas is not ideal that is why in designing a
page pictures should where possible be placed and edited first so that they do not run
the risk of being ruined by the minute cropping.
• Typographical components i.e. captions decorative orders e.t.c. must be considered by
the editor when cropping .
• You must think of how the photographer will appear in conjunction with the types i.e. is
the picture to have in own headline, if so how is it to be placed where is the caption to
be placed will it be at the front of the picture, sides or above the picture or in a widow
 cut into the picture itself. And these considerations will influence the automate copy of
the photograph.
• A common method of breaking out of rectangular confine of the picture is to outline/
cut around some parts of the picture subject and is only done rarely and with great care
this technique can add a three dimensional effect of the picture giving the impression
of a footballer kicking the ball out of the frame.
• But cut out will just as easily emphasize the poor quality of a picture as the good
qualities of another. They should thus be used only on flowers pictures and pictures
used in generous dimensions i.e. big pictures.
• Dot try to cut out feathers, hair. The cut out is not only a method of giving added
impact to a picture. It also a linking devices between pictures and headlines or text
where type and cut out appear side by side the reader will readily connect the two.
• The cut out to be wholly effective it requires a frame. This frame need not be a rule or
border, it could be a headline or even a column of text. Cut out that drift off the edges
of a page appear weak and uncertain.
• The traditional rectangle of a picture can sometimes be changed by cropping the
photographs into anther geometrical shape, i.e. rounding the corners and cutting or
circling, ensure that those responsible are able to produce what we want i.e.
Other ways of editing
• In addition to cropping there are other ways in which the appearance of a picture may
be modified before publication
• The most common and acceptable for the background of picture to be printed over by
the artist so that a confusing background appears as the blank wall.
• Other devices actually cutting and rearranging sections of the print or reversing the
negative which are less acceptable. If a picture is reversed left handed becomes right.
• If editor was to cut round one figure or between the two figures and move them
closer to one another the faces will be much larger. Wonderful if you can do it without
the readers noticing but one must ask himself whether the picture now suggest a
degree of intimacy that not exist before. No editor should tamper with a photograph if
on publication it departs materially from the truth.
• Camera can appear to lie i.e. accidental grouping may show a man with three legs or
giraffes with 2 heads. This camera deception are acceptable by everyone.
• Accidental tricks of camera can not only cause laughs but also libel soots. The picture
that suggest wrongfully that a woman is pregnant can have unfortunate legal
implications much depended on the caption.
• If it can be shown that original photograph had been materially altered in the editor
process could be trapped. Picture editors should no more tamper with the truth than
should the reporter.

Scaling
• After a photograph has been cropped the editor scales it to the required size i.e. he
decides how wide he wants the picture and he estimates its corresponding depth. Width
is usually measured in columns. The width of a column vary from one publication to
the next.
• News paper columns are between 8 and 14 ems.
• Sometimes it happens rarely that a photograph can be cropped to the exact size
required both width and depth . usually however there will be some reduction or
enlargement and editor must then calculate the depth in relation to required width and
instruct the process department accordingly.
 • Depth is expressed in inches or more commonly in (cm) and determined by
• The coping lines
• The number of columns across which the picture is to be scaled – if it is found the
picture will be 12cm deep, this can be varied only by modify the cropping lines or
changing the with.
• Although the general sequence of the picture editing is to crop first and to scale
afterward. After tentatively cropping for content one will be prepared to modify this in
order that the picture fits the available space.
• Scaling of photographs is done with the aid of a printers proportion scale or if that is
not available by using the less precise diagonal line method.
• Picture width is expressed in (cm) for a publication using a 12 pica or 6cm columns
with 1 pica break between columns the picture width should be single column 5cm,
double columns 11 cm and so on 17,3 cm
• The progressive increases in the width is accounted for by the inclusion of the column
break In a double Colum picture .
• In a three column picture e.t.c.
• A printer proportion scale consist of an inner disc on which the figure in inches or cm
relating to the width of photograph is aligned with the figure on the outer disc which
represents the new dimension. That is the width of the required 2 column or 3 column
picture.
• Once the scale has been set the depth of the picture can be readily ascertained on the
outer disc by reference to the depth of the original photograph on the inner disc at the
same time a window in the centre of the scale will indicate the percentage reduction or
enlargements that is involved forming a necessary part of the editors scaling instructions.
• Note if the instruction say you have to come to 15cm then rotate it till 15 cam is aliened
marked 12cm. percentage increment decrement is indicated in the window.
• The proportion scale allows the editor to know not only dimensions the photographs will
have reduced or enlarged across a specific column width but also the demotion of any are
of the photograph. He can therefore easily calculate area size for window.
• If a proportion scale is not available then the editor will have to cap resort to the less
accurate diagonal line method. This will give readily enough the depth of the picture and
can also be used for calculating the dimension of any part of the photograph but it is
little use where percentage reduction or enlargement has to be determined.
HANDLING A RUNNING STORY (this means a story that has been continuing over a
period of time)
• Certain stories are deepened to be a particular importance more so if of national
significance, if so the editorial team members are bound it agree on setting aside a pace
for such an article on a regular basis as it occurs. The amount of space set aside should
be sufficient but incase more space is needed. Then the managers will have to decide
how to go about it. A sub may as well be designed to be editing the story can in the
process is likely to become knowledgeable enough to fully inform all readers as even
those that have not been following the story. How the story is written depend on the
kind of the story it is e.g. if it’s the interview type then it approach may be to have it
interviewed published perspective however any mistakes or errors will be corrected to
make the report as readable as possible. Another approach may be to paraphrase the
event the source is the possibility of misquoting sources. Its therefore preferable to quote
these sources as they said, another thing that the sub should keep in mind is the attempt
to bridge previous events to the latest occurrences. This will serve as a link especially
for those readers who have not been following the story or have missed the most recent
goings regarding it. In case the whole proceedings in the story are coursed entirely. It
may be useful for the sub to provide a summary of the key points during the initial
stage especially for these readers who may lack the will to read through the entire
mood soqume of these readers may also be too busy to read the whole report. The rest
will read the whole report for reason that may be legal as they may have been mentioned
 during the proceedings
Stages of picture editing
Assessment The picture editor examines using an electronic pix desk
pixs are
Transmitted digitally from the photographer/ other online services. He selects a short list of pixs
for the back bend or other executive. These he does by considering the quality and component of
pixs and their suitability for the requirements of the pages. The final choice is made from the
material on the screen or their printouts after consultions between the pix editor and those
responsible for various parts of the page.

Cropping and sizing Done either by the arts department or the sub responsible for the
page chosen pix is called up from the pix desk to the computer and then cropped and sized
using a scanner screen to get the desired image. The resulting pix is scaled to fit exactly its
assigned box on the page. If the task is left to the scanner operator the area to be cropped aid
sized required are marked to the printouts.

Retouching Done to problematic pictures because of poor quality of having

unwanted detail in spite of cropping, formally an artist with an air trust was asked to improve
he pix today’s program. Like abode are achieving much more result however image
manipulation and even invention of detail can occur consequently, there are higher
controlling retouching to avert law suit.

Fitting in the page In full screen it’s up to the page executive to check and adjust
after the pix is imaged into the box from the art desk/ scanning studio. This old be done to
satisfy any layout change at the click of mouse, these changes can be made by the sub. In smaller
papers, most of these tasks are carried out by the sub but in bigger nation newspaper, multi-
tasking is employed before specialization
PHOTOS BRIEFING
Pix editor knows form the daily news schedule and the editorial conference the sort of pixs
required for every assignment and if there`s need for a specific shape and type of pix or
inclusion of certain EPD ( electronic Pix desk) is the link between incoming pixs and the papers
production process. With their advances in technology films can be developed on location
transmitted over the internet to reach the newspaper EPO in moment. Today’s concentrate on
people and their activities, there is less room for composed mood shows using today’s
equipment. The emphasis is on the unusual angle which can enliven the page news pictures are
usually of two types:
The actual shot which helps to tell the story
Pix that shows people which might simply inform. The first sort of pix is more valued and is
harder to capture since there might be only one chance. The second can be simply by the
photographer asking people to take up positions. Here the danger of cliché pix arises especially if
the photographer is overworked. In big events such as National holidays rearranged shooting
position and lack of mobility make timing of essence in getting the wanted pix in indoor
work, the effect of the flash on the subject is the perennial hazard the problem of shadow and
small room perspective. The skill of pix editor lies in taking account of the various hazards that
the photographer will face in briefing for special requirements. It is from the variety of pictures
produced that the pix editor looking for sharp details and good composition, select those for
enlargement so that the best pix are available from each assignment from the page being
planned

A SUB GUIDE TO DESIGN AND TOPOGRAPHY

Format
• A newspaper cultivate a visual format which is distinctively their own and by which
they are recognized, planning adapts to this format means the consistent use of the
same typography and style of presentation and the placing of things such as sports,
 editorial opinion, women page. TV programmer and late news in the same part of the
paper in each issue so that the shape is familiar to the readers.
• Newspaper format is it s visual brand image but it can be modified in drastic change
unless the paper is being relunched in the face falling circulation or is seeking for some
reason to change its market.
• In all papers specialist areas such as financial news and sport and sometimes foreign
new, have their own part of the paper
• Quality dialers and Sundays give separate sections to finance, sport and arts leisure (i.e.
the American pattern) with each section having its own pagination and have the head log.
• Same provincial papers bring out separate sections on certain days and might
sectionalize their advertising features or holidays or Christmas shopping promotions.
Balance of contents
• Within the broad format it is necessary to achieve a balance of subject on the papers
and a visual balance of text, headline and picture in relation to each other would be
unbalanced to run all stories of gloom and doom, or death and destruction on one page
to put all human interest stories on one page, or fill a page with stories without pictures.
• Account is also taken of advertisements on the page so that editorial part does editor
might occasionally vary the usual balance of space allocated to news features and sport
to suit special circumstances – an election edition or heavy weekend sports programme.
• Each newspaper arrives at a general contents balance suit its market. Evening papers give
more space to new than Sunday or weekly papers. Morning papers have more features
than evening papers as they give in depth explanation to the day’s news.
• Town evening and county weeklies gather page of area news which their senders come to
expect.
• No matter, how the balance is arrived at it is achieved within a total additional space
which remains at about the same percentage of the whole relation to the advertisements,
whatever the number of pages.
Essential points in planning an issue of a news paper
Balance of editorial items in relation to each other i.e. news, sport and features
Balance of subject content, including picture and advertisement within each page.
Preservation of the general shape of the papers format.
Who does what?
• Editorial manning varies according to papers size, dailies have a better of executives ,
some with precise editorial function, some with managerial administrative or liaison
roles.
• There is usually only one deputy editor who deputies in the editor absence there can
be a number of assistant editors with titles like assistant editor news, assistant editors
features e.t.c they head their respective departments producing big daily in is the
responsibility of the night editor who is the senior production executive usually equal
in status and sometimes senior to the assistant editors. From the night editor flow the
delegated roles of the chief sub – editor picture, editor and art editor.
• On smaller papers some of these roles are merged. On such papers there is seldom an
art desk, subs might scan in and correct pictures as well as edit text make up the pages.
Similarly the subs table might combine the occurs and features functions and even that
of sport, although sports production on most papers is carried out separately sender the
sports editors.
• Whatever the scale, the role of chief sub is the fall rum of the operation.
• Job of the chief sub combines a pieces – by – piece planning operation with quality
control of the material being processed.
• On small paper it might include planning and scheming of most of the pages and a
major share in decisions about the balance of the papers. In big papers this part of the
work is covered by the night editor and assistants leaving the chief sub to give more
time to polishing the material and controlling the pages being put together
Designing the pages
 • Once the overall paper is agreed, presentation of the contents becomes an exercise in
design. Then scheming of the pages takes palace to produce page design or layout.
• On big morning paper the night editor and assistant night editor roughly scheme the
main news and features pages with the chief sub and features chief sub usually
scheming the others.
• On small paper chief sub plays a bigger part, with some pages given to senior subs to
scheme layout artists under the direction of an art editor draw the schemed pages in
detail directly on to screen, call down any computer graphics needed and prepare
artwork i.e. headline picture and logos.
• The layout with art work page and advert boxes and story boxes precisely shown on the
screen to the chief sub who puts them out with type instructions to the sub page editor
chosen to hand the page.
• According to the production method used, the stories are then subbed the length the
headline written and picture and adverts called down into their boxes. The paged
editor adjusts the items and lawyers it is sent electronically to the dark room when it
is turned into high resolution negative form which the printing plate derived.
• Note chief sub must not neglect an important tack where a table sixed newspaper is
being produced . since the paring of pages at printing means each page goes on the
press with its printing pairs i.e. 36 papers page 36 pairs with pages 1, 35 with 2 e.t.c.
The makeup on screen of double print borders crossing the page, match their partners
page accurately. Design must look to content and readership market for its inspiration.
Focal points
• If you draw boxes to represent the area to which the eye is first drawn on each of the
pages referred to yow will see that they all have one thing in common from systematic
pattern in which the pictures and main headlines are the focal points.
• These focal points by their location first demand the reader’s attention for the page as
whole. Then as they guide the eye round the pages, they lead from larger focal prints to
smaller, alighting on the things that first attracted the eyes and once attention is
secured, taking in the less items. The design has succeeded in claiming the reader.
• Location of the focal point around which the page design is constructed depends upon
the material chosen and portion and content of the advertising shape of the editorial
space being worked on will determine whether the picture need to be horizontal or
vertical, the stories short or long.
• A picture should be kept clear of pictures in an adjoining advertisement while headline
type should not be alongside advertising type of a similar size.
• Describing newspaper page designs as systematical it should be said that a
systemmtrical layout is impossible on page with adverts because of the varieties of
editorial shape left by the advertising space . symmetry occasionally page without
advertising.
• News is more pictorial in a popular table. while boldness in picture and headline is less
required in papers such as the financial times and in some of the quality broadsheet yet
the purpose and function of the visual pattern is the same as each in its market.

Orders
• The order in which headlines appear on a page and their size, signify the relative
importance of the text they cover in relation to the other items
• In all pages there is the main or lead story, which has the biggest headline and
sometimes through not necessarily the longest text.
• Second most important story is the half lead with the second biggest headlines.
• The there are intermediate tops and numbers of one or two – paragraph stories
usually down the page called fillers which are sometimes schemed into the page other
times they are kept handy to fill spaces when bigger stories fall short. Ready drawn to
a page by a picture or bold headline may have time to scan the main terms but may
 read the whole page incase of more time. A picture with its caption can act as a tarter
persuading the reader to run through the story types.

Character
• Looking of successive issues of a newspaper you will become aware that there is a
consistent use in the pages of one or two stock types with inidiciously placed variants.
• Consistency which is common to all newspaper is not just a question of arriving at a
design. It also gives newspaper its visual character making it able to be differentiated
form other newspapers.
To sum up there are three purposes in newspaper design.
Purpose in newspaper design
• To draw readers eye to a page by creating an attractive visual pattern
• To signpost the items and signal by placing and typerizes their importance five the
newspaper a recognizable visual character by the consistent use of chosen types.

Topography
Page design is made up of four elements
Text
Headlines
Pictures
Advertisements

• The content and potions of advertisements are decided before the editorial is placed,
designer i.e. the person who schemes the page can only note them thus the emphasis
on design is on text headlines, and picture.
• In dealing with text and headlines knowledge of typography is needed.
• Typography means the arrangement and appearance of printed matter thus awareness
of the uses and purposes of types chosen in fundamental.
• Are two main families which are western or roman alphabet is rendered in print .
• Serif and
• San serif ( sans)
NEWSPAPER LANGUAGE
Contents
Pronouns
Qualifiers
Sentence
Lengths
Paragraphs
Tenses
Punctuation
Clichés
Journalese
Right words
Technical words
Foreign words
Synonyms
Vogue words
Dashes and brackets
Dashes are overruled and misused in news paper in the assumption that they live the text.
Dashes should be cared to draw attention to the telling part of the sentences i.e.
A kind thing robed him – and left him fare home
Using dashes for commas is not only wrong but also confusing to the eye and space wasting,
Using dashes to enclose a parenthesis is reasonable though more space consuming than
bracket.
i.e. the students wrote apologies - after they failed to attend a class) - to explain their
misconduct. nb dashes can also be used.
Exclamation marks
Also called a screamer, should be used only after an exclamation
A phrase more than 4 or 5 words is unlikely to quality because of the mechanics of delivery.
Their over uses in newspaper devalues them and look silly or messy in headlines and texts.
Question marks
Used to close quotations. Should either be single or double consistency.
Usual styles is double for main quotes and single for quotes within quotes and double again
for quotes within quotes which should be avoided if possible.
Main quotes should be introduced with a colon with short ones within a sentence or
paragraphs having a comma before and after. i.e. the couch said “ I will take you to America
as Brazilian coach told his players. ‘America disaged as you will read in the book “ America”
gigolo will take as endings.
Foreign words may Anglicized amongst them sysnatarium, syllabus, ultimatum take a simple ‘s’
or ‘es’ ending.
Some French and latin based words however keep their own plurals e.g. addendum - addenda
Beach – beau
Phenomenon - phenomena
Problems that affect modern English is the rapidly growth of polysyllabic nouns from the
new generation from the ‘ ize’ verbs. The verbs often derive from shorter nouns
Container – containerize - containerization
Hospital – hospitalize – hospitalization
Urban – urbanize – urbanization
Preposition
The rule never to end a sentence with a proposition is often broken without any bad effect in
sentences . if it sounds right and is free of ambiguity then the preposition can be left at the end.
However avoid piling a number of preposition at the end of the sentence i.e. this was the
book he wanted to be read out of from to.
Most users of preposition nouns and verbs are idiomatic e.g. tastes of tastes for e.t.c
Infinitive
There has been belief that the infinite verbs should not be split and this often means the
insertion of the adverb between to and the verb e.g. not to quickly.
This is not necessarily the care. What is important is to convey the right meaning. Nevertheless
this can be done without splitting the infinitive so you need to consider If the message is
smoothly passed across.
Sentence
Good sentences is important. All sentences most have a subject and a verb. Verb can be
quality by a verb sentence can also have an object.
Where a verb is inactive that is exposing a state of being or feeling it takes a compliment in
place of an object i.e. the false tired, he seems tired
Knowledge of the subject is important because verb has agree with it in person and numbers
In person the verb changes only in the third place person singular
Agreement is number. Can however cause problems if a sentences has a double subject the
verb must be plural i.e. Politics and business do not mix. Gold with silver is the most
important metal
In neither – nor or either or sentence the verb agrees in number with nearest to it example
Neither peter or her sister is a member
Neither peter nor her sisters are members
Beware of pit falls with nor and qualities use fewer than for numbers uses less than amount
qualities i.e. less than a dozen.
Collective nouns should be treated as singular i.e. the was found.
Words like politics, aqua baits. Gymnastics, mumps, graphics are treated as singular despite
ending with an “s”
Nouns They offer less problems than other parts of a sentences, plural forms of nouns can
give difficulty the ‘y and ings” take the y endings without the preceding values take “ ies”
Monosyllabic word like no, go because noes and goes Long words particular moated i.e.
archipelagoes

Pronouns
Main faults in the use of pronouns occur in obstructions in which the writer has failed to
relate them properly to what comes before
Joan cooked for her sister her favorite meal
Joan cooked her sisters favorites meal
Where there is any doubt of what a pronoun is referring to, the sentence should be reshaped or
spilt into two.
Confusion of me and I is another pitfall, generally the rules are the following
Where the first person is the subject of a sentence. I should be used and where it is the object
me be used
I be used following a conjunction not me
Qualifiers
Are words that vary or extend the meaning of a verb or noun and are of two kinds namely
Adverb
Adjective
Adjectives which qualify the noun are often the most expendable word in a text because an
excess of them slows down the writing and reading and waste space.
Many i.e. luxury, flat, mansion, villa, stunning beauty are among the clichés to be found in
newspapers.
Another area popular and overused adjectives is that bared on such nouns as miracle, model
terror, horrors e.t.c.
Writers and subeditors should be cut out all the above adjectives and go for something that
precisely qualifies the noun. If nothing comes to mind go without.
Other use sages that comes to mind go without.
Other usages that could be done away with include considerable difficulties broad daylight,
serious danger grateful, thanks, cherished beliefs e.t.c. topology ( repeating yourself).
Question marks
What to look out for in question marks in quotations question marks should be within the
closing inverted comas.
If the question lies in the main sentences then question marks must be outside the inverted
commas the carried position can make a difference to the sense
Hyphen
Is much misused and should be used sparingly
It is not used in familiar compounded words e.g. handbags, boyfriend etc eg ill- will , co-
operative, co- pilot co-ordinate, co- wife etc
It also used to indicate a compounded adjectives i.e. an up-to – date account.
Is also used to distinguish different meanings of words i.e. re-creation and recreation, re-
formed and reformed.
Hyphens are discouraged in headline s to preserve visual neatness
Full stop
Used to indicate a pause longer than coma, semicolon or colon.
It indicates a unit of thought. Full stops should not be used in headlines or captions
Are allowed after abbreviations that do not have the last i.e. those allowing full stop
No
Hon.
Vet.(vertinary)
Tel (telephone)
Those which do not allow
Mr.
Dr
Col
Ellipse
Is a much misused punctuation like dashes? It would be acceptable to use elipses where there are
missing letters of a word or missing words. i.e.
Complete the following in your own words. As I was going home ………………
Ellipses should be used as substitutes for the bracket and dashers especially in enclosing
parenthesis
Ellipses should not be used because they are space consuming and must be used only when
deserving of their places.
Stress
The distinction of where or what syllable to put stress on is not evident in print
Italic as an indicator of foreign words in now no longer in use. Italics can be used on words
that are strongly stressed or emphasized.
Apostrophe
Used for singulars and plural possessive.
One should be carefull with the possessions that end with an “ s” (jamess)
Some names of places with the possessives do not have the apostrophe e.g St Albans, Earls
court etc.
Semi – colon
Denotes a pause longer than a coma but not as long as a full stop.
In books and in feature writing they are still acceptable if the writer knows how to use them.
But in newssetting it is rarely needed. Example
Moody Aworys investment includes : fifty percentage share in securicer. Thirty percent share
in uchumi. Eighty percent share in kitale millers and twenty percent share in murembe Fm
Colon
It is necessary but rarely used in newspaper. It introduces bits of names objects qualities e.t.c
and precedes a quotation or explanation.
In her basket was contained : oranges, mangoes and apples
Clinches
Are phrases or words that have been used so often that readers are likely to fine them tiresome in
news. They not only need fail to enlive dull copies but also make the most significant item
items sound simple
Clichés should be avoided by writes in general because they have no place in original
writing e.g.
Clam before storm any bodies guess
Balanced in knifes edge, bomb shell
Clinches can be acceptable in the newspapers for three reason
It’s not too worldly and thus space wasting
It does not distort the intended meaning
It is not frequently used.
Also for the popular press if is often acceptable to use a few clichés so as to connect with
regular readers so long as there is an exact meaning that is well understood by them.
Other clichés like megastar superstar, sexy, stunning e.t.c. can be dropped from newspaper
writing without much less
Journalese
Clichés over much to journales. It is described as journalistic native term if is the language of
lebels and instant metaphors.
It draws it s inspiration from space staff newspaper colums to make pronouncements of
spanning clarity overmasters which to everybody does not appear very clear. e.g. Mrs.
Thatcher is backing prince Charles in his bid to turb sex and violence on TV it was revealed
yesterday
Nb bid, carbs reveled con be used in other sentences of similar situations.
Clichés and journalese are devils design as angles.
Journalese expert ally and sparingly used helps give a newspaper its flavor that is its character
of being a newspaper rather than a copy of the hansard or court transcript.
Right word
Possession of the most update dictionary and a gazetteer if place names if available is essential
for sub–editor because of the needs to get words and names of locations right.
Due to space demands there is no room in news stories for long words where a shorter can do.
A number of this cut out can allow an extra sentence containing a fact to be included. But
writers meaning must be mentioned.
The right word is the one likely to be known to the reader while bring out clearly meaning
without being unerarily long
General guide is that foreign words should not be used where there is an English equivalent
In news sub – editor should be careful to avoid words with more than one meaning doing
with academic word

Technical words
Finance, IT, psychology, etc are some of the areas of science and commerce that have their
own vocabulary. They are accepted in specialist publication that are not understood by the
average newspaper readers.
Their use in news columns should be sparingly and only where their meaning and clear. Some
of these words can be entered in general vocabulary as and be acceptable by many readers
Economic has provided word like upturn, downturn, etc industry has provided words like
blueprint , bottleneck e.tc
Now technical words used in general writing in a metaphorical sense are in danger of being so
popular to become clichés so do not over use them . do not use too many of these as well or the
text gets to be jargon.
Foreign words
There is no reason to use foreign word if obvious English equivalence can be use i.e. cul – de-
sac- dead.
However there are foreign words that are generally accepted as they are not easy to
substitute i..e
Ad- lab defacto regime
Cartage status caup vancce
Circumlocutions
Going in orders not straight to the point, should be avoided. Experienced journalist rarely use
long winded phrases
Sub editors should not expect to use such words but must remain vigilant some may enter
the text via quotations mainly form tape recorded materials. This may be allowed to some
degree to preserve the flovours of the speakers words but those wasting much space should be
removed example:
Prior to – before
Meet up with - meet
Extra special – unique
Synonyms
To avoid long words or repletion of words in a sentence or paragraph or seeking words for a
read line, sub editor searches for an alternative or shorter word meaning the same
Beware of words that almost mean the same but not quite .
Check not only the spelling and number of letters in the synonyms but the meaning as well
Vogue words
Are words or new uses for words which are popular with speakers and writers and are
therefore being used a lot.
Some i.e. parameters and arguably have a liking polysyllabic charm for speakers with
academic lineage. Others like clinical interface and syndrome has scientific nng around them
that makes the speaker feel up to date.
Some are useful ways of saying things without the need for lots of words applied to the
busy while some have no justification
Sub – editor should be use them where they help clarify a meaning or communicate a point
to the reader but they should not be overused. One should be certain about their meaning and
if in doubt do not use them until the grammarian sort them out
Accord – means agreement
Aggravate – means to annoy or course trouble or make course
Ambience – aura/ atmosphere
Arguably – capable of being argued
Basically – if a tiresome word that is often used to start an explanation. You can do without it.
Its opposite indepeansable.

HANDLING TEXT
Contents
• The subs table
• The editing function
• Getting it right
• Check sources
• Making it fit
• Editing for the page
• Order and shape
• The into
• The delayed drop
• Story sequence
• Using quotes
• Geography
• Time
• Background

HANDLING TEST
Sub editor edit all the text that goes into a newspaper the broad areas of news and features
and sectional specification such as sport and financial.
The sub table Subs vary in number from three or 4 on a small weekly to a dozen on a town
evening paper and perhaps twenty or thirty on a national daily. Because of shift systems and
holidays not all work at once.
The ubiquitous key board and screen have greatly altered the layout of the old sub table. there is
growing stress on multi skilling with subs on some papers being designated as page editors,
handling stories and pictures for a given page and seeing it though form screen to plate with
other subs carrying out specialist editing, recruit or revise functions
Subs table layout varies from office to office.
The editing function
• Your job as a news sub, in terms of text editing is to:
• Check the names, addresses, figure and other facts of the story for accuracy.
• Check and put right any error in grammar spelling and structure.
• Check for legality referring queries to the office lawyer if necessary
 • Edit stories to the length needed for its page slot, if necessary cutting and amending it,
or collating copy from a number of sources into one story.
• Rewrite any apart of all the story if need be to bring it to the length and standard
required
• Prepare the story for its page slot by setting it in the required type and measure.
• Write a headline to the chosen type and measure.
• Write any captions needed to go with the story and the accompanying pictures
• Revise the story in length and context for later editions in the light of new copy or a
change in position in page or papers.
• Ensure this procedures are carried out to meet page and edition deadlines
Getting it right
• People are quick to condemn when a newspaper gets things wrong and the graver
errors can get an editor into serious trouble.
• Vital part of your jobs as a subeditor is to check that everything that is checkable, if
avoidable mistakes get into the paper, it is the sub editor who edits the story who is
deemed to be at fault, and who needs almost a sixth sense to detect hidden traps
• Error can arise in many ways. Reporters have to be relied upon to cross – check
information on the job. What to do is check back with the reporter any figure that is
suspect.
• Error can arise many ways. Reporters have to be relied upon to cross - check
information on the job. What to do is to check back with the reporter any fact or
figure that is suspected
• Checking with the reporter should be a regular practice where there is the slighted
doubt about anything
• Misreading can lead to mistakes when you rewrite reports copy especially names and
address, ages ,dates figures and quotations.
• Quoted speech where meaning have been changed though vital words being left out
editing is a source of complaint to the press complaint commission.
• Common dangers is the paraphrasing of quotes in the opening or introduction to a story
the sub in an attempt to grab the attention, pushes the meaning of a quotation beyond its
limit.
• Cases of mistaken identity are other cause for complaint in caption stack pictures to go
with a story you must take certain that the person is identified beyond all doubt.

CHECK SOURCES
• There are a number of routines which should be followed by subeditors to ensure
accuracy. Check all stories against files in the cutting library, If when reporter have
done this. This will show what publicity the person or subject had and may supply
useful background detail. It also tells you if the story is new or has already been
published.
• The cuttings might contain names of people who can be used as check sources and
can give biographical facts to flesh out sketchy details supplied by the reporter or to
correct actual error.
• It is always worth checking the name, titles and other references to people in the
public eyes
• Fortunately in this area, checking is not difficult. Titles hairs, family arrangements and
even hobbies of the famous can be found in who`s who.
• For military people and matters there are the air force list, the army list, the navy list EST.
• For the art there are: BBC, yeni book, radios and TV who`s who afford companion to art
etc.
• In business, government and other areas at home and abroad there are civil service
list, foreign office list, international who`s who the stock exchange books e.t.c.
• Despite the above books there are four reference works inseparable from any sub table.
• Whitakers Almanck - is about government, trade unions, economics and geographies.
 • Bartholomew’s Gazetter – settle every dispute about the spelling and location towns and
villages.
• Modern dictionary
• A full set of telephone directives
Making it fit
• Casting off is an old printers term for setting a pieces of copy or headline in type to fit its
space. It is still used in subbing for editing a story to the length required.
• To cast of a story the sub – editor must know first how many words it contains. This
is now essay for a word count comes up on screen when copy is entered.
• The sub must then know how many words in body setting can be contain in a given
space n the page hard knowledge of the newspaper quickly provides the answerer
since setting of whatever sixe works out at a given number of words per column
inch.
• A new sub editor will find it useful to stick example from the paper across single
column and double column on a card until familiar with the requirements of various
column depths.
• At its simplest cutting on over - long text to fit a given space is achieved by two
means
• Leaving out unnecessary facts
• Leaving out unnecessary words
• The main task of subbing after checking for accuracy is the cutting and collating of
copy so that a story is given an orderly shape within the space chosen for it. \
Editing for the page
• Editing process beings when the sub or page editor receives on screen the schemed
page and as they become available the stories required.
• Each slot will be indicate the story catch line and the body type and headline settings.
• Chief sub editors will brief you on handling of any chief aspects of a story and you
will than commence shaping it to its place in the page.
• A quickly reading of the text will reveal by how much it needs cutting it at all some
stories can be placed at almost their original length.
• Some running stories may continue right through a days edition with “add copy and
pictures arriving from various sources and several revisions for the page. Your job here
is to access and update the material for the reader in the light of the latest information
and the space available
• Editing process ends, when having got the story to the right length and the facts in the
required order, you type it up with its headline into the page slot, you may need to
form it on screen if it is still slightly over.
• If it is only a line short it is possible using a command key to level up the text by
distributing the line space - eight points, say evenly though the text.
• Order and shape
• In text editing your assessment of the story upon which you base its order and shape a
close reading of the copy and an informed judgment about what it is saying.
• Order and shape are needed in editing a new story to get the maximum benefits form the
space it occupies. The essence of what the story is about has to be identified and made
into an attractively worded into so that the reader’s attention is aroused. Then the facts
must be unfolded so that the intro is justified and the story flashed out. It has failed if the
supporting facts fail to justify the introduction or if they leave the reader asking
questions.
• Facts should be presented in order of importance, those most connected with the
introduction being given first, irrelevant ones removed and the least important to the
end.
• The most useful ways to look to a story structure is to say that a well – subbed news
story should have
• A statement
 • Explanation
• Corroboration
• Qualification
The introduction
• Your opening paragraph must catch the eye at first reading if the brain is to be
persuaded to read on. Introduction is gained by giving first the highlight or most
important or most interesting part of the story.
• Fashioning a good introduction is a skill you must learn since it is the cornerstone of
the method by which news stories are presented and edited
• Whatever the state or the amount of copy an experienced subeditor will know what the
introduction should say after a first reading or second.
• With the a running story, or with several copy sources or with changing news angles
for different editions some pulmonary testing and editing is usually necessary.
• With a big running story – the introduction is sometimes the last paragraph to be written
since it has to contain the most up to date facts. In such cases standby into may be ready
or a space is left in the on- screen page to await the introduction.
The delayed drop
• One type of introduction that does not follow the above rules is the delayed drop. Here
the substance of the story is deliberately kept form the readers to create a feeling of
suspense.
• It work well in offbeat humorous or human interest stories or in atmosphere stories in
which the effect depends upon how the facts are presented rather than upon their
intrinsic importance.
• Delayed drop introduction effective on the right sort of a story by like may special
device they become tiresome with overuse. On no account should this treatment be
used on hard news, nor should more than one delayed drop story appear on the same
page. It has to be kept for a special sort of material
• Example
• Yesterday was Vera Jones 46th birthday. It was a say she is not going forget for five good
reasons ……… first ……
Story sequences
• Once you are done with the introduction you are ready to tackle the main body of the
text, i.e. presenting the facts in sequence so that the story has shape and pace as the
reader moves through it
• First point to note is that your introduction must not be left unsupported. Paragraph
following it must explain any incomplete reference it contains. If it describes a boy of
seven, then you must quickly give his name and details.
• Having supported the introduction, you should unfold the remaining facts in order of
importance. Facts touched upon in the introduction should not be repeated as if they
were new facts but should be amplified as they occur in natural sequences.
• It the story has several end ( information from different locations or writers) you should
connect the segments by linking phrases so that the reader knows that the narrative has
diverted from the main story.
Using quotes
• In stories based upon eye witness interviews short telling quotes can energize test
• A story based on a contentious statement someone has made is in complete and could
lead to trouble if the persons quoted views are not included as they were said.
Mixing quotes
• Some subeditors in attempt to get everything of interest near the top of the story, break
up interview quotes used by the reporter using those of one person, then another and a
third in the first few paragraphs. This may seem good idea but can confuse the reader.
• In reporting discussion- at a meeting – mixing quotes and speakers may seem justified
but in the run of the story it is better to deal one at a time.
Other points in quoting speeches
• Where a personas quoted as criticizing someone the other person should be allowed
opportunity to give their view.
• Whether quoted or paragraphed. Statement in a story must be properly attributed.
Geography
• The local connection of a story is important in a paper serving a local or regional area
and is a valid ingredient in the introduction and even the headline.
• In national paper, geography is less important and is often relegated to the third or
fourth paragraph.
• Even in national papers, geography into national sense matters and foreign stories are
often used because their British connections.
• e.g. a person involved in story in Saudi Arabia would be a Briton in paragraph one,
while he would be form halfax in paragraph six. In Halifax his local connection would
merit the first paragraph.
Time
• The yesterday or today should be made clear in the introduction and followed through
in the story. Any changes in time sequences should be introduced by a linking phrase
( sometimes in italic) such as earlier in the day or speaking last night.
Background
• In giving background material, especially from press cuttings records and references
books, subs should be aware not to use it to slant a story or influences the readers
reaction
• A persons career or achievement can be filled out usefully in the editing. Any
background material worked in should be relevant to the story and not be used to
support a point of view.

WRITING HEADLINES
Contents
• The words
• Special words
• Omission of words
• Nouns as adjective
• Symbols
• Ward accuracy
• Headline punctuation
• Headline abbreviation
• Headline content
Writing headlines
• Is one of the most difficult sub editing task. One must concentrate on the material of
the story to summonses them into a few short words that will tempt the reader to
read on.
• Some subs have a natural talent for coming up with a headline at almost the first
reading but in most cases it comes with a lot of practice.
• The best are not necessarily those that are quickly but can be a result of a patient
juggling of words on a pieces of paper after the subbing of the text is complete.
Headlines has two main functions
• Drawing readers attention to the content of the story
• It forms part of the visual pattern of the page
 • The first function has to be with the choice of words. This must be achieved without
damaging the fact by oversimplifying or exaggerating. Thus the editor must be
careful about distorting the story.
• In trying to achieve the first function that second comes into play. Reason being that
the layout demands of the modern newspaper expect a certain type of pattern to be
imposed on a page.
• On the newspapers stories are allocated a size of headline ty0pe and width of setting
to soot the stories relationship to the page as a whole
• Consequently there is a limitation of the maximum numbers of characters in each
line. This the sub editor has to keep in mind when synthesizing the story into a
headline.
The words
• To catch the readers eye, a good headline must have clarity and impact. Clarity comes
that the words are without confusion or ambiguity to the readers.
• Impact means that the effect of the words is persuasive enough to make the reader
want to read on. Thus headline languages is everyday language is in simplicity \
Matters to consider under words
Subject
Since a headline is a condensed sentences. The subject and verb must be in right place. The
subject is what the story is about. Subject comes first in effective news headline.
A headline without a subject should be avoided as it will be the waste of space.
Verb
The active voice is more compelling and ceases fewer word than the passive voice. But one
should be aware of distorting the headline in trying to avoid the passive verb.
A headline that has the subject in the last two words is a weak headline. A verb must be added
as soon as possible as it is what energies the headline and give it pace compared to the
adjective for instance.
Special words
Sub editors should prefer plain English to polysyllabic or unusual words as this are likely to
put off the reader concepts in news paper in a specialist field. They also show the pace of a
headline as well as reduce its impact.
Omission of words
A number of techniques are used by sub – editors to give a news headline pace while carrying
its massage within a given item and space. However if this are not used carefully they can
affect the clarity of words
For instance the auxiliary verbs to be and have and some others can be omitted where their
implications is not in doubt in the warding.
Nouns as adjective
Nouns used as adjective in some cases compounded are useful short cut in identifying the
subject without using too much words.
The use of nouns as adjective has the hidden danger of ambiguity if these is not verb
Symbols
One may use a metaphor or phrase if it serves up a complicated situation is what a sub editor
wishes for
Sport is an area where this is frequently used but with overuse they lose their potency t be
included in the verb object expression e.g. blows the whistles “ catches the eye” writing on
the all the example
ENGLAND SOVOURS LEG OF LAMB
Word accuracy
Because a headline gives a story greater prominence then the text, the sub must be careful not
to damn it accuracy at fact in looking for an appalling headline.
The motive words like hysterical, fail, worthiness, poor e.t.c should be used with care and only
it supported by evidence given s in court.
Verbs such as criticized, attacks, condemns etc must be supported by quotations in the text.
Be aware of devaluating words such as flash, slams, smashes, grabs, slaughter, demolishes in
headlines if the story does not match up. In this regard the sports page are the worst
offenders.
Headline punctuations
A headline being a condensed s sentence a part from having subjects and verb also need
punctuation. An examination of any headline will however take headline, only essential
punctuation should remain.
Points to keep in mind in headline punctuation
Full stops are not used expect in long rhetorical headlines mostly in the feature pages which
have a sentence break. E.g. Go to work on a plane. What about that for a crazy idea?
A colon is useful in a two idea headline i.e. war looms in gaza: Israel moves tanks church:
we need amendments.
Nb colon is being phase out in many favours instead a second headline idea if needed is
given a deck on its own,
Comas are sometimes necessary but should be avoided if possible, they can be used to note
a missing and e.g. Ngilu, Gachoka sue
A coma is necessary before an attribution if a coma is needed to avoid ambiguity then the
headline should be re-written.
Question marks should be avoided. Newspaper should not be asking the reader anything it
should know exception is on a dialogue headline i.e. suspended? Not me says sambu
Exclamation marks should be restricted to exclamatory phases and are most acceptable in the
sports pages e.g. knocked out e.t.c.
Quotation marks are best used single in headlines. A part from endorsing actual quotations
they can be used around words to indicate doubts or confirmed assumptions e.g. : poison:
blamed for death or to show a fact to be fault ( WHAT ASSUMED TO BE TIME) e.g. “ dead”
man attends own funeral.
Single quotes also get over problem where two or more words are compounded into an
adjective noun i.e. “ADOPT A LIGHT” campaign picks up
They are not enough to sustain on the person name should be included in the headline or its
second deck
“ DRAFT WILL SAIL THROUGH” – says the president ( tag line)
Ellipses are strictly to denote missing litters or words for a verity of reasons from replacing a
colon the filling out short lines. They are the best ban along with exclamation mark e.g. all that
glitters ……….
Headline abbreviations
Abbreviations especially those formed form initial capitals make a headline observe to some
readers however those considered known by the majority of readers can be used e.g. UN,FAO,
NEP,BBC,AU,KANU etc.
However most union would be better referred by name of the trade. Full name can be given in
text.
Capital letters abbreviations look ugly when they do not constitute a word that is an acronym and
are best ration to one in a headline if they must be used to all.
DR, PROF, REV, CAP e.tc are in escapable at times but more acceptable whether followed by a
full point or not full point or not. Depends on house style. The most unappealing abbreviation are
those invented by headline writers for use in tight situations e.g. ROYAL FLEE QUAKE IN
COPTER .
Headline Content
What is including in a headline must be considered.
Taste – people must not be identified by their face, color or creed unless it is the subjected
matters. Words used must be relevant to what is contained in the text.
Vital facts – relevance is the most important thing in judging the fact to use in a headline.
Reporter and subs should recognize a fact that will bring a story to life by its relevance.
Personal touch- the who of headline is important opinion and quotations get strength if readers.
Know who says them. having a name in a headline is ok but having anonymous he or she
should not be used.
man baby mother etc are acceptable but the headline should put more details on when they
are
Time –with the of a story there is the assumption in reads that he she is reading what has just
happened or is still happening. This is confirm by the use of the present tense in headlines.
The future can be specified If it is relevant to the story e.g. PRINCE CHARLES TO WED
CAMILA
Location – the where of a news headline is mostly uses in local papers that are anxious to show
its coverage. However s where an area has its own page in an edition under an area label then the
need for place names is less important.
If place name are to be used they should only where relevant but not in every filler story as
this is tiresome.
For a national daily, place names are not common in headlines unless their relevance is in
escapable. E.g. new airport planned for kisumu city.

HEADLINE TYPOGRAPHY

Contents
• Headline composition
• Headline thoughts
• Headline typography
• Shape
• Headline arrangement
• Type style
• Character count
• Spacing
• Caption writing

Headline composition
Headlines can be compared in 2 ways namely
Direct approach
Oblique approach
Direct approach
• Is drawn from the facts of the story . It therefore begins out of the “hardness” of a story.
• Hardness refers to the quality of a story that is based on facts nevertheless such stories
will often contain quotes which are not necessarily facts but are quotations.
• Quotes are used to corrugate an event or news story justify or describe a fact. In writing a
direct headline one will use the nouns and adjectives as well to bring out the true nature
and make a connection with the reader.
• In writing a hard news story headline sub- editors is making a qualitative judgment
about the story by choosing words that bring out the significance of the story.
i.e. FIVE DIE IN A CRASH
Oblique approach
• Is not common in newspaper and is sometimes given special typographical prominence
 or is often news of a softer quality which can be tuned human interest.
• Though difficult to clarify they are generally concerned with the human situation that is
what someone has said or done. How they reacted to a happening or concern unusual
personal circumstances that have came to be known.
• Many times they are about honeymoons and their relationships to human beings. There
could be element of a dity or humor which make the story extra ordinary or about a quere
personality of a subject.
• The oblique approach should not be appearing on many of the stories of the page. They
should therefore be used sparingly otherwise its special affect will be lost. It is more
exiting for the sub editor waiting this kind of headlines but there is a limit to their
number.
• Some of these headlines may be inspired by a popular song or catch word ( phrase) in
which the reader is familiar with or a proverb or saying. Irony or humor might be used
or well. Examples
RONLDINHO RULES THE ROOST
ENGLAND SAVOURS LEG OF LAMB ( lamb is a star cricketer)
ENGLAND SAVORS BREAKFAST
Nb all are intriguing( creative)
HEADLINE THOUTHS
• For a headline to be effective it should express one main thought and not have around it
qualification and explanations. To arrive at this thought a sub- editor should look for what
makes a story s unique.
• If there are other thoughts or facts to be brought out then they can be given in a
second deck of headline or put in the introduction. However if there are two thoughts
that are simple and complimentary they can sometimes be compounded into headline
Ex. PALESTINIAN FORCES MOVE IN AS ISRAEL PULLS OUT
Ti has two thoughts
It should have one thought e.g.
THE STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER STEELING
Label headline
• The headline don’t have a verb or the verb is incidental such headline are not
recommended of news. They can work with colourful or human interest stories e.g. the
man with the longest hair
Cameroons day of disgrace.
some seemingly label headline within their strength form implied verb
Rustlers trail is found in sand

Split headlines
• Formerly it was a taboo to grammatically split a headline by for instance turning to the
next object adjective from nouns, adverbs form verbs or even s have the part of the
verb split
• This no longer appliers as what is most important is to have a good flowing headline.
• Nevertheless it is still a good idea not to have the indefinite article at the end of a line
because it is visually week but not for breaking any rule.
• What should be the guiding principle is the ease with which the eye moves and the
visual effect of the type.

Headline typography
Formally newspapers used to have multi - deck headline in singles or double column stories,
nowadays, however one deck one thought headline of between one and six lines upon their
shape and positon on the page.
Shape
• Single column headlines are usually of two, three or four line though sometimes they
may have up to five or six if they have dominants and columns positions or contain
some particular wordily phrases which the page executive wants to be include.
• Double column, headlines are usually of two or three lines generally of bigger size
than single column head are often to be found on the ½ lead of the third story of
importance on the page.
• The page lead ( 1st lead) might have a headline that crosses the entire page ( banner
streamer) running into perhaps the second line that’s short alongside the picture or
another story.
• In addition to those common shapes, there’s long single line one headline extending
perhaps from three to as many as six columns though not necessarily in large type.
This s cover stories carried across the page with short lengths in the horizontally lengths
now favored. They are useful when introducing a new item under a wide top of the page
picture.
• Even if multi: decking in old fashioned the more important stories in both tabloid and
broadsheet papers sometimes introduce the 2nd headline thought either for emphasis
or for design purpose by means of a strap line or an over line.
• Strap line can help justify a main headline that seems a little bit bare or make possible
one that otherwise that might not stand on its own alone.
• Another addition to the one thought headline is the tag line in a smaller type used to
justify an opinion heard
E.G. KENYAN ECONOMY SET TO GROW
Central bank goeverner says …….. Strap line
• More useful is the headline that has one point and a single deck in a single column
headline of this kind the character count in the bigger type phase might be as little as 6
½ letters to the line although where the types are in smaller character count is more.
• The free style headline offers us a much more generous words and character count can
its usually built around a quotation or statement chosen because of its humors or
good summing up of the story. Such headlines are made a facal point in page design
often in conjunction with a picture and cannot be imposed on the page without
affecting its time balance. E.g. ready off behind the control
Headline arrangements
• This type is arranged in two main ways. It is either centered or set left of readability as
well as visual styles. for instance a centered headline with a wide different in the width
of lines has the eye jumping about to find the starting point of each successive line and
is hence difficult to read.
• For a centre headline to be successful it should have the top line full to lend it strength
Example: in two column story
• A set headline is supposed to drop the is to each successive line to look visually
proper and if the lines are too uneven the raggedness on the right noticeable on
the page.
• It can give the outside edge s of the page a weak look if used in the right hand
and column and is burnt form this position in some papers
• A set right headline is rarely used because the raggedness on the left makes it
hard for the ay to pick up the next line as it reads.
• The only other arrangements are the stepped headline that is still favored by some
US newspaper.
• The first line should be set full left and the last one full right and the others evenly
placed in between. Only when all the lines are of the same width can this pattern
work otherwise the headline looks unbalanced. Nevertheless the style is rarely
used.
Type style
• In a newspaper that is well planned the types that are used on the news pages are
 within a specified stock range with a variant range used to give emphasis to a specific
story or form a display focal point together with pictures.
• A newspaper may choose the carifed, Bondoni or centaury with perhaps a Gothic or
tempo being used as the variant
• The feature pages on their par having more variant though still within a limited range.
It on the other hand Gothic or Tempo sans face is used for news stories then at times a
little century light or the heavily sheriff Rockwell or pabst are introduced as variables.
• Within most typed stocks there are bold light and italic versions and condensed or
expandable therefore there is enough variety within the type range without need to
use the other ranges.
• The headline writer has been helped by the present tendency for newspaper to used only
the lower case type of range of a stock in different sizes and weight. This may be
accompanied by the occasional use of caps in a different variant type sprat and
century light preferred for this.
• The use of lower case certainly eases the letter count and has helped to free headlines
from being telegraphic that is much used in tabloids in their narrow columns and large
caps style.
Character count
• To get exact count even if familiar with the type a sub consults the office type book.
Each publication publishes one of these to show the types phases in use
• Specimen type size are indicated in column widths and multiples of columns to match
the layout of the newspaper so that counts can be made against widths of single
column double column etc.
• It will be seen that letters within the size vary in width not only in their lower case but in
their capital letters too.
• Headline count has to take into account these variations as well as that letter space
between the words
• Headline count in capital is easier where a part from I which comes as ½ a character
or M and W of the alphabet are “1” character each and the space between words being
a character each.
• In lower case F,I,J,R and are ½ a character each with W and M being 1 ½ characters to
a full character as between a comma and a question mark the rest or the letters is
character each
• Dashes and ellipse take 2 or more character
• Most system allow for single character spacing between words although this can be
reduced to ½ charter to accommodate a much needed headline or otherwise save
space.
• Readability with reduced space depends on whether the letter separated by the space
are upright or recceding strokes. The latter giving the impression of more white .
Spacing
• Close character counts are problematic not only with words on but with the visual
balance of the grey white space used sparingly and creatively in layout can help the eye
but white space in a headline that was to be occupied by type is wasted. If occurring
frequently it can make a page look empty
• A useful race with headline is that the letters should as much as possible used up the
white space if white is needed for visual reasons that lines can be indented that is set
narrower than the space to be filled.
• In headline writing white is useful to give enough separation between words and
lines so that the headline is easy to read and the visual effect satisfying
• If achieving a good shape is a problem then the best thing is to change the words and
start again.
• The bigger the type the more the damage caused by bad spacing.
• Lower case type is difficult to space neatly. Spacing of capitals is a matter of consistency
but be aware of the cross line defender capital.
 • Spacing through the lines of the page make up excess space in story at the page makes a
stage can result in poor visual bacne and should be avoided
• The above are general guidelines otherwise spacing is a matter of visual style. No
universal rules in ones spacing of headlines or column spacing. What to consider in
being consistent one line should be clearly differentiated form another with the eye no
being aware of the white space.
Caption writing
• A good caption writer is rare thus is valued. This is perhaps the only time that the sub-
creates something from scratch, especially of the self contained story caption. Here the
sub let his creativity take command. Essential is imagination.
Things to note when writing captions
• Always check crop marks see the print before writing as it is less vital to know how
much of it will appear.
• Watch your tenses problems often occur in the opening sentence of captions. The
result of trying to combine the present tense verb with yesterday an undesirable way
of getting out of this situation is by the use of telegraphic language
Mr kibaki arrives at the airport yesterday
Arrives present tense with yesterday
Nb this is a dull and lifeless caption. The best way is to separate the verb and the time is by
making it clear that there are two distinct thoughts by cutting them off using a colon lr or
full stop by dropping the verb altogether.
Example of leaders
Best foot forward ….. this was culture minister Najab Balala at yesterdays Gala night i.e.
( delinking it into two)
Admiring a work or art : minister Balala at yesterdays art exhibition i.e. ( separating with a

.
colon)
Relate it to the story name only caption are acceptable only if the picuture is very small. But
in all other cases the caption should say something worthwhile and provide link to the story
.Don’t say it all twice duplication of the story into in caption is – a common mistake worst is
to retail the whole story in the caption in different as well as repeating the introduction and
heeding as wll
Watch these series captions . point in the previous rule apply just as vigorously you have a

.
series of picture relating to a story. Repeating the introduction and heading as well.
Keep a caption underneath. Do this even if there is a fully detail story caption running along
the picture each picture needs instant recognition underneath this avoid using one caption for

.
several pictures
Don’t overdo it. Caption gives the sub greatest opportunity for creativity and there lies a
danger. A ridiculous. Caption writer must avoid overwriting or being too sentimental

WHEN TO REWRITE
Contents
• When to write
• Angling
• Multiple copy sources
• Bad copy
• Electronic tools
• Revising and auditioning - rejigs
• Caption writing
• Writing contents bills

When to write
Do not alter or rewrite copy just for the sake of it. The following examples Show where
rewriting or partial recruiting would be the best means of editing.
Angling
Means deciding the view point from which to tell it. The introduction of any story defines the
angles. The fact sequences that follows supports and justifies what the first paragraph has to
say.
It happens that the right editor or chief sub with more nature judgment sees a story
differentially form a new angle
Angling shows how the creatures assessment at story after it has left the reporters hands can
result in recasting of the material by the sub- editor even if it is not totally rewritten
There is also the more general angling of stories to suit the readership . political stories are
sometimes presented in regional and town papers in terms of local connections of the
politician or of proposed legislation.
Other jobs can entail a considerable amount of work by the sub to bring out the local angle for
different editions
Multiple copy sources
Sometimes you will be given a story which has copy from more than one source. It might be
story with several SOURCES which a main section is perhaps by a staff reporter with work
provide by area correspondent.
Keeping up with this amount of copy in a complicated many sided story requires an eye for
vital detail, especially when extra copy arrives during the subbing of the story or even while it
is being fitted into the page. You cannot leave out anything of importance and must places
facts though arriving late in correct sequences
Rewriting often is the answer
Bad copy
A more obvious candidate for rewriting in the story that is boldly written either for lack of
time by the reporter or through a wrongly judged style approach
Such story might be j sent back to reporter to try again but if time is short or reporter is out
an other job. The sub is instructed to knock it into shape this can include cleaning it up
meaning taking out explicit sex, obscenities , excessive violence or things likely to offend
readers. Sharpening it up getting rid of dull writing, tedious phrasing and wordiness or toning
it down ridding it of extravagant or emotive language excessive use of adjectives or gush.
Electronic tools
Electronic editing offers no handicap to jobs that entail collating and rewriting computes
have large capacity for storage and retrieval of material and split screen allows only toe stores
to be displayed comfortably at time. Yu can display the main edited t ext. on one side and
work in material from other stories from the other side
Where separate story are merged it is not difficult to copy required material form one file to
another as part of the editing job
Rewrite subbing form complex sources is a job for an experienced sub such as person can sift
through a valid input of copy . do the necessary checking by reference book or cutting and
within minutes begin writing the story form intro onwards. The following points must be
watched with rewriters on words. The following zs points must be watched with rewrites
If the rewrites necessary
Have you checked quotes , names , ages , address, etc against original copies
Have you transcribed all quotes accurately or paraphrase
Have you followed house style in spelling, abbreviation use of colloquialisms e.t.c
Revising and editionizing
• National dailies in Britain publish four or 5 main edition during a production cycle
listing form midday to about 2.3cm , the main pages were transmitted from London by
page fusilier, with late or edition are page being inserted at the regional printing
centers to make up a paper which looked the same wherever it was brought .
• Today the computer and electronic system have enabled national papers to
decentralize their printing ot any number of sites around the country to facilities faster
distribution. Some of these printing plants are directly owned and managed others are
provincially owned center’s that print a variety s of national and local papers by
 content. Thus paper can be printed at the same time whenever, a company chooses for
whatever edition areas it wishes to cover.
• Provincial papers - town evening papers and local weeklies printing mostly on one site
update general news and sport in their main editions but also change special area
pages of community news sometimes on the extent of varying the title of the paper to
empathize it s local identity
• It is usual on evening papers to list editions and pages press times on an information
sheet so that subs especially new ones can refer quickly to the deadlines for
whatever story or edition they are working on.
Rejigs
• The revised form of story is called rejig or redress. Your job as sub is to work in later
material from the reporter or agency or whatever other source to update the text for
each edition. If the story length in the same page is the same a cut has to be made to
accommodate it. This is the simplest form of the headline and body of the story staying
the same. Where the later material is more important or complex it can involve re-
reading the story although it is likely you can pick up some of the old material,
provided it is not outdated by the news in such a case you can give the story if you are
certain parts of it are not going to be need.
• Later material can also arrive on screen as inserts perhaps A and B marked by the
writer to particular parts of the story. Here again the writer to particular part of the
story cuts to be made so that the length in the page is preserved.
Caption writing
Writing picture captions a job that fall to the page editor or sub is a word on its own. While a
picture cannot stand without them , the wording should not stress the obvious but should try
to extend what the pictures is saying by offering explanation and context.
Dos and donts caption writing
Try to use the present tense
Try to place the caption adjacent to the picture preferably under it. Caption that is looked for
has failed
Avoid composite captions that covers a number of pictures. Directions such as below left
bottom right above centre e.t.c can exasperate readers
Do not repeat the wording of the headline or introductions the reader needs to be told
something new
Caption typography
Is best simple. It should be different from the adjacent reading text. Usually in bolders type
and size bigger in captions of more than one line the writer should aim at even lines.
The use of stars, blobs squares and other graphical decoration to draw attention to captions is
unnecessary.
Some captions where the material is self – contained and even those where the picture is
exceptional can be usefully given a headline, there a label headline ban, shed form news
stories can effectively draw the readers attention to the message in the picture e.g.
Caught napping
England’s glory
The love child she never forgot
Writing contents bills
One of the lesser know lobs associated with subbing is the writing of news bills usually called
contents bill. Part of a newspaper self – publicity is to display these bills outside of a news –
stand at strategic points in the circulation area.
Stock bills - are those that remind readers that racing from cards or TV programmer or
latest sport news can be found in the paper that night or morning are pre-printed with stock
wording as today’s race cards or all tomorrow TV programmers
General bills – they advertise an important story of new serial and are placed at all display
points in the circulation are
Local news - emphasis the local connection of stories and are placed in their own area.
Some papers a senior sub writes all the bill, taking the material of screen as each page is
made ready. In others subs and page editors are asked to write off bills on any story they are
handling that they consider “ billable”
Technique of witting contents bill is to disclose enough information to arouse the readers
interest without saying much that the reader has no need to by the paper. They are not explicit
in the away headline are which are indented for the reader who has already bought the
paper e.g. POP STAR MARRIAGE RIDDLE
With local bills the place name is important. National paper which avoided the towns name in
a headline would bill a story to its area as BRISTOL WIFE IN PRISON RIDDLE if it felt the
story few extra local sales
Bill can be local in a different sense then in place names a national story about universities
might suggest “local” bills for all university towns.
The usual system is that bills are send hand written to the circulation departments who
produce them by stencil or heavy hand lettering on standard headed sheets for delivery by
newspaper bans to distribution sites.

FURTHER TECHNIQUES IN SUBBING

SUBBING AND THE LAW
Contents
Sub editors and the law
Legal traps – libel
Contempt of court
Official secret act
Privilege - absolute privilege
Qualified privilege

FURTHER TECHNIQUES IN SUBBING

SUBBING AND THE LAW
Not only must the story you are subbing be accurate , clear and readable and of the right
length is must also be legally safe to print.
Sub editors and the law
• All newspaper retain a trained lawyer or senior journalist versed in the law to read
copy and advice the editor or potential legal traps.
• If a story is considered unsafe to use the legal person after consulting the editor will
issue legal kill meaning it must be thrown away or removed from the computer.
• Electro editing course no particular problem to the legal reader. While security of text
means that computer access is limited in certain areas to those performing editorial
tasks the legal reader has access to all incoming texts, which can be called up by file
and read on screen.
• The overview of the lawyer or legal reader is generally one and varies in efficiency
from office to office and it does not absolve the sub editor form watching carefully
for legal danger in copy. If there are any doubts about a story that you cannot resolve
in the editing refer to the legal reader before consigning it to the page.
• Lessons in law for newspaper are included in all journalism training courses but it
takes time for young sub to develop the sixth sense. Rewriters of stories are an obvious
danger when facts are being rearranged and quotation paraphrased or perhaps keyed
in wrongly.
• A well written story that needs little editing or cutting the sub to fit – can hold a greater
danger because it may the sub into a state of false confidence
Legal traps
Keep two thoughts in mind when consideirgn legal problems in editing.
A mistake or damaging statement gains much more currency with the public thus can cause
grater harm.
Newspaper companies are regard by litigants as rich and good target.
The sort of law affecting newspaper
• General laws of the land to which editors are liable in the same way as the ordinary
citizen these includes defamation or libel contempt of court, trespass, confidentiality
and the various provisons of the official secrets act.
• Law is aimed more specifically at the press and broadcasting mediate to restrict the
publicity of given of court cases. This is from of consership. They include laws for
biding publication of evidence in divorce and other matrimonial cases the identification
of offenders in youth court cases publication of evidence given at lower courts against
people committed for trial to lighter courts and details of people involved in sex
offences. Also include are some provisions contained in the race laws
• Some of there laws are of less immediate concern to the sub. The laws restricting the
coverage ofcourst cases are accepted and applied by newspapers while sub editor
should be aware of the types of restriction
Libel
• Newspapers is guilty of libel when it can be proved that a person character or livelihood
has been damaged as a result of statement made in the paper. Successful action can result
in substantial damages being paid cut.
• More cases are settled unknown to the publicity out of court arrangements in which
quite large sums of money change hands accompanied by a printed apology
• Defense against libel is difficult editor might plead the truth of the statement or the
story is fair comment made in good faith and without malice
• Editor should not ignore a known danger of libel i.e. ignoring threats are used by
people to try to stop publication and are ignored only if the editor has good legal
grounds.
Contempt of court
This means broadly any conduct or spoken or written words or printing of pictures which
might impede the working of a court or bring justice into disrepute.
Thing the subeditor should watch for
• No pictures should be publicized of persons accused or expected to be accused before an
offence until they have been identified in court. Event when police have issued a picture
of wanted person.
• Newspaper must not publish new facts or evidence about people being tried while the
trial is in progress.
• A newspaper should not interview any witness or person involved in a trial
• Criticism of the judge or the court proceeding during trial is considered serious
contempt
• A newspaper must try to get in touch with member of the jury during trial.
The official secret acct
• This a wide art which can be used to cover many aspects of government business as well
as security and states secretes. Controversial areas are spelt out the press from time to
time in DA – notices which are request to editors not to publish certain things on threat
of being guilty of breaching the act.
Privilege
• Law on privilege covers the reporting of court hearing and sittings of parliament and
public bodies where serious accusations can be made about people which if made and
reported elsewhere could lead to actions for libel
• Privilege came in two sorts
• Absolute privilege – it covers a fair and accurate report of judicial proceedings
published contemporaneously provided that legal restriction on coverage in certain
 cases specified in law have been observed. However untrue in fact statements in
courts are or however unfair a newspaper who reports them and says who has made
them is safe form action for libel. Exception to this is in past has been statements
involving sedition, blasphemy and obscenity but these have become to define these
days.
Points to watch
• Fair and accurate means that the report must be fair to both sides
• Statement is not absolutely privileged if it includes matters taken from documents not
read in court
• Proctection does not include anything not par to f the proceeding such as an outburst
or scene in the courtroom.
• The report must be contemporaneous meaning it should be carried in the next
possible issue of the papers after the hearing.
• The wording of the headline must go beyond the facts of the story.
• Beware of wording. If charged of murder becomes a case of murder only after the
verdict.
• Descriptions of witnesses. Their dress and behavior are not covered by privilege.
Qualified privilege
• Means the reports are privileged in law provided that there is no malice or other
improper motive behind publication. Where these motives can be established in court
the protection of qualified privileges is of no avail.
• Areas covered by qualified privilege include parliamentary, commonwealth,
legislatures, international organization and conferences to which the UK Government
sends a representative. Public inquires, bodies formed in the UK to promote the arts,
sciences, religion, learning, trade, business , and industries association for promoting
sports , meeting held for lawful purpose, meetings of local authorities. Committees or
tribunal appointed by act of parliament and reports of notices or information issued to
the public the government, local authority or police.

FEATURES PLANNING AND PROJECTION

• In planning for features the writer of the article whether in-house member of staff or a
free lance have to sit with the editor and agree on a number of important issues. One of
these is the agreement on the approach to be taken in regard to the idea. Another
issue is the specific aspects that need to be tacked in writing of the article. The length
of the article will also be agreed on and illustrious if any. All these will account for the
amount of space to be reserved for this particular article. The date by which the
article must be submitted to allow for sub- editing will also be agreed upon. Once the
article is finished it’s submitted. Its unlikely that there are any errors mainly of spelling
but any facts appearing in the article may not be changed because it’s the writer who
has had access to these sources if the sub had to get back to these sources, publication of
the article may have to be delayed and it will take a while to complete these.
• The writer is hence expected to be thorough in his accuracy so that the article will
not be disputed by readers / other sources.
• The sub may make a few changes to ensure the article is in line with the house style
especially if the writer is an outsider. He may also be looking out for any use of
quotations or anecdotes if the kind of the article allow. To ensure these are sufficient and
sprinkled well in the article the title of the article may also have to be writer by the sub
to fit the space available to ensure its in harmony with other titles on the page or the
regular house style of titles.
• In designing the way the article will appear on the page the sub has to consider if
there are any illustrious and where they would be paste which in turn will determine
 how the article will be projected. However there’re occasions when he/she has gone
out to seek material for the article and he/ she has changed on mid perhaps and how to
approach the idea in terms of content. In such an eventuality. He should contact his
editor immediately to inform him of his decision.
• He will then discuss and agree on the way forward which may mean pushing back the
article to another date in order to disrupt the page plan of the initial editor it was due
to be published in. nevertheless if he article is that important and can’t wait then the
editor will have to decide as to whether the other article can wait and this one article
demanding more space be published.

REVISION QUESTIONS
DECEMBER 2015

1. Illustrate, by means of a diagram, and explain the concept of the electronic newsroom.[20]
2. An effective opening paragraph is fundamental in any news story. Explain the action that you
would
take, and the techniques that you would use, to produce an effective and eye-catching opening
paragraph. Support your answer with an example. [20]
3. Review the main issues that should be considered in respect of headline typography. Support
your
answer with examples. [20]
4. Editing a running story will pose challenges even for the most experienced sub-editor. Analyse
the
challenges that are likely to be faced and explain how they should be addressed. [20]
5. Assess the factors that are likely to influence the selection of pictures for publication. [20]
6. Review FIVE typographical devices that a sub-editor might use in designing a newspaper
page.
Illustrate your answer with examples. [20]
7. There are various legal traps which a sub-editor must take care not to fall foul of. Review the
key legal
traps that a sub-editor should be aware of.[20]
8. a) Review the main principles involved in editing a piece of raw copy for publication. [10]
b) Assess when rewriting or partial rewriting will be the best means of editing an article. [10]
MARCH 2016
1.a) Explain what a contents bill is and set out the key techniques used in writing a contents bill.
[15]
b) Draft a contents bill of your choice utilising the following information:
‘The world last night agreed a historic climate deal aimed at driving greenhouse gas
emissions
down from the current 46bn tons a year to almost zero within 50 years. If fulfilled, it would
see 195
signatory countries weaning themselves off fossil fuels completely within just a few
decades.[5]
2.Analyse the main legal traps that a sub-editor will need to ensure they are aware of.[20]
3.Review the steps that a sub-editor will typically take when editing pictures. [20]
4.Caption writing is a key skill to have. Analyse the main issues that should be taken into
account when
writing captions. Support your answer with examples.[20]
5.Distinguish between direct and oblique approaches to deadline composition. Support your
answer by
giving an example of EACH approach based on the following information that you have been
given:
• Blizzard in Cumbria in the UK yesterday
• Follows a week of flooding
• Floods left towns badly damaged
• Rain turned to snow last night
• 100,000 without electricity
• Worst power cuts since the 1970’s [20]
6.Evaluate the contribution of focal points in page design. Illustrate your answer with examples.
[20]
7.Analyse the role of the news editor in a newsroom. [20]
8.Publishing letters from readers is an everyday part of modern newspaper practice. However,
care
must be taken in publishing these letters. Review the main issues that should be considered.
[20]
JUNE 2016
1.Review the key sources of pictures available to a sub-editor.[20]
2.Analyse the various issues that a sub-editor will consider when publishing letters.[20]
3.There are a number of typographical devices available to a sub-editor when designing a
newspaper page. Review FIVE such devices, supporting your answer with
examples of EACH.[20]
4.Critically evaluate the role of a copytaster.[20]
5.A sub-editor will often find themselves in the position of having to reject a news story. Explain
the main
reasons for a story being rejected.[20]
6.Headline typography requires careful attention. Analyse the main considerations in respect of
headline
typography, supporting your answer with examples.[20]
7.Review EACH of the commonly recognised stages in the subbing process.[20]
8.The electronic newsroom is now a common feature of modern day media organisation. Explain
the
concept of the electronic newsroom, supporting your answer with a diagram.[20

SEPTEMBER 2016

1.It will usually be necessary for photographs to be worked on before they are ready for use in a
publication. Review EACH of the stages involved in editing a photograph.[20]
2. Managing a running story in a newspaper can present a sub-editor with many challenges.
Analyse the
challenges involved in editing a running story and explain how they can be managed.[20]
3.Ensuring that paragraphs are appropriately used and structured is key if a story is to have
impact.
Explain the key issues involved in the use and structure of paragraphs in a story.[20]
4.Editing of content is a key task in the newsroom. Explain when rewriting or partial rewriting is
likely to
be most appropriate when editing copy. [20]
5. Review the action that should be taken by a sub-editor to check and verify the content of a
news
story.[20]
6. Scheming and layout are critical to effective page design. Evaluate how scheming and layout
support
page design. [20]
7. Sub-editors will need to be aware of a number of legal issues with regard to the content of a
publication. Explain what these are. [20]

8.a) Explain what a filler is. [5]

 b) Use the information below to produce a 60-word filler for a national newspaper:
Genetically identical in every way! Miracle boy triplets beat odds of 200 million to one to be
born exactly the same. To be told she was expecting triplets was a big enough shock for any
mother-to-be. After being told how similar they looked by other mums, she sent off samples of
DNA to be tested – and she has now been told that against odds of up to an incredible 200
million to one, the naturally conceived trio are identical. Fortunately for their 23-year-old
mother, telltale features plus the ten-month-old triplets’ emerging personalities mean she for one
has no trouble telling them apart. “When they were newborns it was quite hard to tell which one
was which, but I never got them mixed up myself,” she said yesterday.
“They’ve all got dark birthmarks between their eyebrows, but Roman’s is slightly darker than the
others’, and Rohan has got a birthmark on his leg as well. When they were in the hospital, the
doctors
said they were non-identical, but since they came home lots of people have said they can’t tell
them apart.”
According to the Multiple Births Foundation, the only way to establish for certain whether twins
or triplets are identical – known as zygosity determination – is usually DNA testing. After
consulting them, Miss Allen took cheek swabs from Roman, Rocco and Rohan and sent them off
to a laboratory to be analysed – and earlier this month received the news that they are genetically
identical.
They are the youngest of what is thought to be only a handful of naturally conceived sets of
identical
triplets in the UK. “I was surprised because I expected them to be non-identical,” she said. “But
then I’m normally the only one who can tell them apart, so that does explain a lot!” Miss Allen,
from Gateacre, Liverpool, also has a three-year-old daughter, Indiana. [15]

DECEMBER 2016
1. An effective opening paragraph is a must for any piece of newspaper journalism. Explain the
actions
that should be taken to ensure an effective, eye-catching, coherent and readable opening
paragraph. [20]
2.Picture selection is an important task in the newsroom. Analyse the factors that will influence
the
selection of pictures to be used in a publication.[20]
3.The checking and verification of sources is an important task for a sub-editor. Explain the
action you
would take, as a sub-editor, to check and verify sources. Refer to examples of problems that
may arise
if this task is not completed properly.[20]
4. ‘Caption writing is a challenging skill but one that can pay dividends if mastered.’ Review the
main
issues that should be considered when writing captions. Illustrate your answer with examples.
[20]
5. Focal points are a key tool in the effective design of a page. Analyse the contribution of focal
points,
illustrating your answer with examples. [20]
6. Review and assess the contribution of a copytaster in a newsroom. [20]
7. An effective contents bill can make a significant contribution to newspaper sales. Explain the
types of
contents bills and review the techniques involved in writing a successful bill. [20]
8. Explain the circumstances in which a news editor might find it necessary to reject a news
story. [20]
MARCH 2017
1. Set out and review the various stages involved in editing a photograph for use in a newspaper.
[20]
2.Letters from readers are a core part of the content of many newspapers. However, care must be
taken
when publishing letters. Review the various issues that a sub-editor will consider when
publishing letters.
[20]
3.A sub-editor needs to be aware of a number of potential legal issues and traps with regard to
the
content of a publication. Analyse the key legal issues and traps to be aware of.[20]
4. Explain the issues that a sub-editor will consider when choosing pictures to be used in a
publication.[20]
5. Critically review the significance of order and shape in the preparation and editing of a news
story.[20]
6. Some stories are only fit for publication after they have been partially or completely rewritten.
Review
the circumstances when this is likely to be the case. [20]
7. Review the use of the following by a sub-editor, illustrating your answer with examples:
a) Breakers
b) Indicators
c) Special setting [20]
8. Analyse EACH of the stages in the subbing process. [20]

JUNE 2017

1.Set out the approach that a sub-editor will take to edit pictures for use in a magazine.[20]
2. Review the key issues that should be taken into account with regard to headline typography.
Support
your answer with examples.[20]
3. Critically evaluate the role of a copy taster in a national newspaper newsroom. [20]
4. Editors will find themselves, on many occasions, in the position of having to reject a news
story. Explain the circumstances in which a news editor might have to take this course of
action. [20]
5. ‘Caption writing requires great skill and attention if it is to be effective.’ Explain the main
issues that will
need to be taken into account when writing captions. Illustrate your answer with examples.
[20]
6. Sub-editors are able to draw on a range of typographical devices when designing a newspaper
page.
Analyse FIVE devices, giving examples to support your answer. [20]
7. Review the challenges that a sub-editor is likely to face when editing a running story and
suggest how
they can be effectively managed. [20]
8.Set out the key issues involved in the effective structuring and use of paragraphs in a story.
Support
your answer with examples. [20]

SEPTEMBER 2017
1. A key task for a sub-editor is the editing of a proposed piece. At times, this can involve partial
or even
extensive rewriting. Explain the circumstances in which rewriting or partial rewriting is likely
to be necessary.
[20]
2.Contents bills have an important role to playing supporting the publication of a newspaper.
Review the
main types of contents bills and analyse the techniques involved in their drafting.[20]
3.Strong paragraph writing is at the heart of effective writing.¶ Review how an opening
paragraph can
be made effective, eye-catching and coherent. Support your answer with an example.[20]
4. Editors will have a number of potential sources of pictures available to them. Analyse the main
sources.[20]
5. Evaluate the significance of focal points in page design. Support your answer with examples.
[20]
6. Verifying and checking the content of a news story is a core task for an editorial team. Explain
the
actions that will be undertaken to carry out this task. [20]
7. Distinguish between direct and oblique approaches to headline composition. Support your
answer by
giving TWO examples of EACH approach based on the following information that you have
been given:
• Flooding in northern Europe
• Follows a week of torrential rain
• Floodsleft towns badly damaged
• Rain turned to heavywinds last night
• 400,000 without electricity
• Power cuts in many areas [20]
8. a) Explain what a filler is.[5]
b) Use the information below to produce a60-word filler, with a headline, for a national
newspaper:
The first major new railway line in Kenya for more than a century, running between the capital
Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa, has opened.
Kenya ‘s new 472km (293 mile) railway is the country’s biggest infrastructure investment since
its
independence in 1963. Built to a modern ³standard gauge´, it runs parallel to the now-dilapidated
metre gauge railway line from the colonial era.
About 80% of the money for the new railway came through loans from China. The loans are the
Country’s biggest yet –amounting to roughly6% of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP),
which is
a measure of a country’s economic activity, including all the services and goods produced in a
year.
Transport Minister James Macharia has said the Kenyan government expects the new line to
boost
GDP by 1.5%, allowing the Chinese loans to be paid back³in about four years´. Most of the
railway’s
revenue is expected to come from transporting cargo. Only5% of cargo is currently being
transported
on the old railway line while 95% goes by road, but Kenya Railways is aiming to push its share
to 40%
by2025 with the new track.
Kenya’s new railway at a glance:
• Cost $3.2bn (£2.5bn)
• Funding for the 472km (293 mile) project was provided by China
• It took three-and-a-half years to build, using Chinese track-laying technology
• The line is supposed to eventually connect land-locked South Sudan, eastern Democratic
Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean
• It cuts the journey time between Mombasa and Nairobi to four-and-a-half hours, compared
with nine hours by bus or 12 hours on the previous railway
• An economy class ticket costs 900 Kenyan shillings ($9; £7), slightly cheaper than a bus
ticket. A business class ticket is $30 [15]