Copyreading
Copyreading is the process of revising written text for clarity, accuracy, consistency, and
correctness. It involves correcting mistakes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting, as
well as ensuring that the text is consistent and the tone is appropriate.
It also involves checking for factual accuracy and verifying sources. One who edits copies is
called copyreader or copyeditor.
Responsibilities of a copyreader:
Edits errors on grammars (spelling, tenses, agreement, etc.).
Edits error of fact (accuracy check).
Deletes opinions or slants or libelous statements.
Recheck figures and total.
Characteristics of a good copyreader:
Attention to Detail: Copyreaders need to be able to spot even the smallest errors in a text. They
must be able to identify grammar mistakes, incorrect punctuation, and other mistakes.
Knowledgeable: A copyreader needs to have a good command of the English language, including
an understanding of grammar and spelling rules.
Organizational Skills: Copyreaders need to be able to organize their work efficiently to ensure that
they are able to check the text thoroughly and quickly.
Quick and Accurate: Copyreaders can involve a lot of work, so a proofreader needs to be able to
work accurately and quickly.
Copyreading Symbols
Copyreading Pointers
NUMBERS
The numbers 1-9 are written in words while the numbers 10 and above are written in
figures.
Example: Exceptions:
a.) Dates and Address- always in
a.)Nine SNANHS students. figures.
b.) 20 children b.) Proper Nouns- maybe written in
figures or words.
c.) Beginning of sentence- always in
words.
d.) Events- 1st-9th is allowed
SPELLING
Look for misspelled words.
If a word has more than one accepted spelling, the shortest one is preferred.
Example: ‘judgment’ instead of ‘judgement’
CAPITALIZATION
The first letter of a sentence is always capitalized.
Proper nouns are always capitalized.
ABBREVIATION
Spell out Dept., gov’t, and other abbreviations.
The abbreviations Jr. and Sr. are allowed in names.
Example: a) ‘Juan Dela Cruz Sr.’
A title or a position of a person may be abbreviated if it appears before the name but
not if simply used in a sentence.
Example: Dr. Jose Rizal
ACRONYMS
Acronyms are usually written in capital letters.
Example: SNANHS, NASA, DOH
Check if the letters of the acronym are in correct order.
If an acronym appear for the first time in a news story, it is written after its meaning,
and it is enclosed in a parenthesis.
Example: Department of Health (DOH)
PARAGRAPH
The first sentence in a paragraph is always indented.
In news stories, the rule is one paragraph, one sentence only.
GRAMMAR
Check for errors in:
Tenses of Verbs
Subject-Verb agreement
Articles (a, an, the)
Proper use of punctuations.
REMINDERS:
Watch out for jumbled letters, words, and paragraphs.
Check for joined/ disjoined words.
Check for redundancies (recurring words, phrases, paragraphs, synonymous, and
redundant terms).
After editing a News Story, write # at the end of the article. If the article is not yet
finished, write more at the bottom of the page.
Prepared by:
Grace A. Dignadice
Wendyle Mei P. Lu-ang
