CRASH COURSE IN JOURNALISM

WHAT’S INSIDE?
۞ NEWSWRITING ۞ FEATURE WRITING ۞EDITORIAL WRITING
۞ SPORTS WRITING ۞ COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITING
۞ EDITORIAL CARTOONING ۞

NEWSWRITING

“…Any event, idea, or opinion that is timely, that interests and affects a large number of persons in
the community, and that is capable of being understood by them.”

“News is an oral or written report of an event that happened, is happening, will happen in the North,
East, West, or South that is of interest to the reader and which should be reported.”
But what is interesting to one is not always interesting to another.

Elements of the News

Conflict, Immediacy or Timeliness, Proximity or Nearness, Prominence, Significance, Names,

Drama, Oddity and Unusualness, Romance and Adventure, Sex, Progress, Animals, Number,
Emotion

Basic Rule (ABC) in Writing News: ACCURACY, BREVITY, CLARITY.

Different forms of writing an incident

Situation: A fire broke out and four persons made their separate essays on what happened.

For a 10-year-old grade school pupil,

“I saw a fire. It was a big red fire. It burned a house. There were many people around. Some men
put water on the fire.”

For a romantic high school student,

“Fearful scarlet tongues arose to the star-studded heaven and licked greedily at the doomed edifice
while the stout-hearted firefighters risked their all to quench the terrible conflagration.”

For a lady bystander,

“You know, Mare, there was a fire in our community. I think it cost the owner a great deal of money.
The date was August 8. August is the eighth month. So I bet in the lottery, 8-16-24-32-40-48.”

For a news writer,

“A fire of undetermined origin razed to the ground a two-storey apartment owned by lawyer Herman
Lagon of 80 Lopez Jaena St., Jaro Iloilo City, last night. Four trucks from the Jaro Fire Station
subdued the fire within an hour. The damage estimated by the police at PhP 500,000.00 was
covered by insurance.”

(Here, note the 5W’s and 1H in the lead)

The combination of simple, vivid and dignified articles produces a copy simple enough for Mr.
Average Reader to understand. We call it news article.

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Structure of news:
Inverted Pyramid (from climax to less important)

Sample News

Headline (ulo ng balita)

Dog dies saving blind master

Lead (pamatnubay)– Most important facts

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD dog saved the life of his blind master, Thursday night, but the canine’s loyalty
cost the trusty animal his life.

Bridge—Elaboration of lead
In serious condition today in Doctor’s Hospital is Erland Escobanez, 71, a street sweeper.
Escobanez of SSS Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City was found early this morning unconscious on a
sidewalk near the Aglipayan Church in the Iloilo Terminal Market.

Less important facts

Police theorized that Escobanez was knocked unconscious when he fell, his head hitting a stone.
Potpot, his dog, apparently tried to shield its master from the cold and the rain by draping itself over
the fallen man.
When discovered this morning by the Police Patrol, Escobanez was still out cold. The dog lay near,
dead.
Relatives of Escobanez who is still a bachelor, told authorities that he always took nightly strolls at
about 11 p.m. with his dog.

Minor facts
According to doctors, only the warmth from the dog’s body saved Escobanez from certain death.
Escobanez told police that he remembers nothing of the incident. A wallet containing PhP 500.00
was still in his pocket leading the authorities to rule out robbery.

How to write a lead?

Lead
It is a single word, a phrase, a clause, a brief sentence, an entire paragraph or a series of
paragraphs. The main function of the lead, aside from introducing the news story, are to tell the story
in capsule form and to answer right away the questions the reader would naturally ask.
A good lead answers all the important questions of the reader, indicates thefacts if they are all
important, and arouses the readers’ interest to continue reading the story. In Filipino news, a good
lead starts with a verb like “Nilamon ng…”

Conventional or summary lead

This kind of lead used in straight news, answers right away all or any of the 5 W’s (Who, What,
When, Where, Why) and/or the H (How). It may be one of the following:

1. WHO lead
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo addressed, April 20, the PMA graduates in Baguio
City.
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 2. WHAT lead
AN ENTRANCE examination will be given Nov. 24 to all graduating high school students
desiring to enroll in the four-year college course.
3. WHERE lead
TRAPICHE, Oton, Iloilo will be the site of the next International Film Festival.
4. WHEN lead
TODAY, almost to the hour, the Revolutionary Government was proclaimed by former
President Corazon Aquino.
5. WHY lead
BECAUSE of poverty, around a hundred students dropped from school last year. This was
learned from Ateneo de Iloilo principal Aurora dela Cruz.
6. HOW lead
BY APPEALING to the school board, the University of Iloilo was able to construct a 30-
storey, concrete building.

Do’s and Don’ts in writing a news story

1. Write the story immediately.

2. Play up the dominant points.
3. Be accurate and truthful.
4. Avoid opinions called editorializing.
5. Use adjectives sparingly.
6. Avoid libelous, seditious and rebellious matters, prejudice and bad taste.
7. Give source (attribution) of the news. Use quotes!
8. Write names in full when these are mentioned for the first time.
9. Identify the names mentioned.
10. Avoid redundancy.
11. Watch out for errors in fact, grammar, structure, and style.
12. Observe the guidelines for clear effective writing (unity, coherence, emphasis, brevity, clarity,
etc.)
13. Adopt a paper stylesheet or stylebook for consistency and professionalism (in Ripples, we
officially adopt the Daily Inquirer Stylebook)

Guidelines in writing a news story

1. Give your lead sentence a “punch” to catch the interest of the readers.
2. Starts with the most important event or idea.
3. Use the rule or proximity and explain how the news affects the people in the locality
or the students in school.
4. If your story has something unusual or novel to tell, bank on that for the lead. It’s hot
copy.
5. Make your sentences concise and clear so that they could be easily understood.
6. Long tedious sentences will likely “kill” the readers’ interest. Besides, they usually
“lose” the readers along the way.News stories are not “luxury” or ”pleasure” reading.
They have the basic function to inform. Use simple words. Using highfalutin words
does not prove anything but pedantry and literary pretentions. Even literary writers try
as much as possible to use simple words.
7. Never be afraid of breaking the rules if it will prove helpful in making a good copy.
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 FEATURE WRITING

What is a feature article (lathalain)?

It is hard to define a feature article because it can take so many forms and can cover so many
subjects. However, a reader may easily distinguish feature stories from news stories through its
different characteristics.
A feature article is an essay based on fact. It’s a virtual drop bag. It is never fictitious. This makes it
different from ordinary essay you study in your literature class.
Like an editorial, a feature article is hung on a newspeg.
Feature stories, like news stories, are written to inform but they enlarge news in a leisurely and
entertaining way. They are written to add life to the paper and therefore their style lends more to the
creativity of a writer.
The main objective of news is to inform while that of a feature article is toentertain. But feature
articles may also instruct, advise, influence, inform, and entertain at the same time.
The matrix below compares and contrasts news, feature and editorial articles.

COMPARISON
NEWS
EDITORIAL
FEATURE

1. Definition
 Report an event
 Interpretation of an event/issue
 An essay based on facts
2. Main Purpose
 To inform
 To interpret
 To entertain using present human interest stories
3. Timeliness
 Timely
 Timely
 Timely
4. Length
 Short
 Around 300 words (2000 computer characters)
 Depends upon the needs
5. Use of words
 Simple precise, concrete
 Simple, forceful, direct
 May be descriptive, flowery, colorful
6. Use of sentences
 Short, simple, 15-25 words average
 May be longer
 May be longer
7. Paragraph
 No topic sentence, one idea, one paragraph
 With topic sentence, longer
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  With topic sentence, longer
8. Use of literary devices
 Journalistic, direct to the point, no idioms, figures of speech
 Journalistic, direct to the point, may use idioms, figures of speech if properly handled
 Literary, can be journalistic; idioms, figures of speech used freely
9. Use of adjectives/opinion
 Uses adjectives sparingly; opinion, never
 Adjectives used freely; primarily opinion
 As much as desired
10. Parts
 Lead, (Bridge), Body
 Introduction (newspeg, reaction), body, conclusion (clincher)
 Introduction, body, ending
11. Style
 Follows style-sheet newspaper style
 Follows style-sheet, newspaper style
 Composition style or newspaper style
12. Structure
 Inverted pyramid
 Hypothesis, arguments/stand on issue, conclusion
 Suspended interest or pyramid structure
13. Title/Headline
 Short (subject-verb; telegraphic sentence form)
 Shorter (at most three words)
 Any length as long as it is appealing to the reader/topic
14. Kinds
(Refer to the syllabus)
Note: Sports News is not included since this special news article combines News, Feature and
Editorial precepts.

Imagine this …
You are a reporter of a newspaper covering a beat in the Iloilo Port Terminal. While going home for
work, you notice an old man ferrying people across a narrow waterway that divides the passenger
bancas from the wharf.
You have passed by him hundreds of times before without a second thought, but suddenly you get
off your motorcycle press and grab your notepad. You have just spotted a feature story.
You take a candid shot of the old man and start asking him questions about himself, his family, his
job, his odd experience with the endless stream of humanity that he ferries daily across the small
brook.
At home, you sit down and focus your thoughts on the old gnarled ferryman and study the odds and
ends about him on your notepad. You organize your material and determine your focus of interest.
Then, you begin to write your story:

REGIE Zabalacheng has the loneliest job in town. Each day, he ferries hundreds of people across
the Iloilo stream, but no one bothers to say “hello,” or even give a friendly wave. Sabalacheng, 68, of
70 Lopez Jaena Street, Iloilo City, has been at his job for 40 solitary years. “Nobody ever pays
attention to me except to give me the two peso-fare after I get them safely across the river. I know

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them all by face because I see them every day but I don’t know their names,” Zabalacheng said with
a cynical grin, “I guess they don’t know mine either.” “It’s not a bad job, but it sure gets lonely.”

The story continues with more quotes from Zabalacheng, a description of his appearance and
mannerisms, anecdotes from his 40-year career, and his family.

You’ve got a feature story.

The Wall Street Journal Formula

Here is a structure for features that the Wall Street Journal has used successfully for many years.

Beginning (introduction)—Start with an anecdote or an illustration of the theme (1st to 2nd

paragraphs).

Theme—Shortly after the beginning, state the point of the piece (3rd to 6thparagraphs).

Body—Provide details that elaborate on that theme. Tell the reader what is happening and why and
what’s being done about the situation. This serves rather than conclude on a secondary piece of
information as to most news stories, a feature may have what is called a kicker, a punch at the end
that drives home the theme and that the reader must always remember. (5th to 7th paragraphs)

Topics for Feature Stories

1. Personalities
2. Experience and adventure
3. Description
4. Narratives
5. Backgrounders
6. Developmental feature articles
7. “What to do” and “How to” articles

How to introduce (begin) the Feature article?

Unlike straight news, a feature article may begin in any form and in any style. It depends on the topic
or purpose of the writer. Most features, however, may be introduced by any of the following:

1. Rhetorical question
WHO says that age is an obstacle to education?
Take it from Procopio Dimakulangan of San Miguel, Iloilo who stopped going to school 50 years ago
after finishing the elementary grades. This year, he enrolled as a first year evening student at Andres
Bonifacio High, Ateneo de Iloilo’s adopted school.

2. Startling statement
“HINDI pa kami laos!”
Ito ang pahayag ng mga “young once”—mga guro, pinuno ng paaralan at mga magulang—nang
kanilang ipinagdiwang ang Araw ng Ateneo, Agosto 17, at lumahok sila sa iba’t ibang palatuntunan
at paligsahan upang bigyang-buhay at kasanayan ang pagdiriwang.

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3. Narrative statement
MRS. NELIA Marie Pradas, a fourth year evening student sends herself and her six children to
school, acting as mother and father at the same time.
Every day, Mrs. Pradas takes her tentative place between the half-time tinderatending her sarisari
store during the day and the half-time student studying at night.

4. Quoted remarks
“I EARN while I learn.” He smiled at me as the interview reeled off. “How can you work, have a part-
time job as an exotic dancer, and at the same time go to school?” I asked.
“Well, it is easy, she explained. “I don’t do all of these at the same time.”

5. An old maxim, an aphorism or a “salawikain

“TUBIG, tubig sa lahat ng dako, ngunit kahit isang patak ay walang maiinom.” Itong siniping sabi ni
Samuel Coleridge sa tulang “The Ancient Mariner” na wala nang bisa ngayon. Kahit na tubig na
galing sa baha ay maiinom na. Paano? Ganito ang paraan.

6. History or background of the subject

ISLAMS throughout the world, including our Filipino Muslim brothers observe the holy month of
Ramadan, starting Sept. 17. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. It is
observed by Muslims as the Lenten Season is commemorated by Christians.

7. Problems to be discussed in the article of fact to be established

THIS IS the answer to the rising cost of vegetables: raise your own.

Ending the Feature article

1. MAKINIG ka sa dalubhasa: ang paninigarilyo ay lubhang masama sa kalusugan. Maaring

maturingan kang tunay na lalaki dahil sa paninigarilyo mo, subalit hindi tatagal ang buhay mo
upang mapatunayan mo ang iyong pagkalalaki.
2. An announcement of the main point for the first time
THEREFORE, a major part of the development communications effort should be directed at
strengthening the character of the people and developing in them moral values, particularly
by self-discipline, self-reliance, strength of character, and fortitude.
3. A question left in the reader’s mind
ANG KAMAY ng makabagong Pilipino ay handang marumihan. Pinaiikoit niya ang gulong ng
pangkaunlaran. Iwina-wagayway niya ang bandila ng kalayaan—kalayaan laban sa
paghihikahos, at kalayaan sa kamangmangan.
4. Suggested results or significance
LET US conserve our forests now if we want to save the future of our country and of our
children.
5. A forecast or prophecy
IN SIX-AND-A-HALF centuries from now, if population explosion would not be checked,
there would be one person standing on every square foot of land on earth. By that time,
people would be devouring one another for there would be no more space for plants to grow.
6. A repetition of the introduction
ASKED if he had formal training in photography, Lovely Sepe finally answered, “Ah, it is now
the reverse. It is here where I learn as I earn, not earn as I learn.” (the lead of the feature
article is, “I learn while I earn).

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 7. A repetition of a sentence or slogan, or a reference to the title
AFTER four years of working as a houseboy, working during the day and going to school at
night, Jose Bonifacio will soon graduate as a first honor student.
Now, who says that poverty is a hindrance to education?
(The title of the feature article is “Poverty, not a hindrance.”)
8. An appropriate quotation
NESTOR claims that he is poor. But when asked why he gave his last centavo to the old
man, he answered:
“It is not what we give, but what we share
For the gift, without the giver is bare,
Who gives himself with his alms feeds three
Himself, his hungering neighbor and me.”

A good feature writer should possess the following:

1. a keen observation
2. an intellectual curiosity
3. ability to find features in everyday happenings
4. cupboards of descriptive words (using all senses)and everyday idioms
5. the skill to weave words into interesting sentences and paragraphs
6. the ability to write effectively
7. the attitude to “think first before writing” and to “show (suggest), not tell, things”

Feature Example

Topic: Abortion

COME TO me, Mama. Come, touch me and feel my pain. Don’t be afraid now, Mama. You weren’t
when you killed me. Here, touch this… can you feel it now, Mama? The excruciating pain that
consumed my helpless body? You inflicted that, remember? Look at my body, now a mass of rotting
flesh and coagulated blood. The dregs of what was a tiny human body. A body that was soft with a
tiny head matted with a sheen of baby hair. A tiny body with a tiny heart that pulsated in time with
yours. These were my fingers and ohh!...Here’s my thumb which I sucked while snugly tucked inside
you. You see, I had long lashes just like Dad’s. My sensitive mouth was just like yours. And here are
my ears that heard your quickening heartbeat when you’re afraid. I could have been a wonderful
child if you’ve let me live. I could have been baby boy, just what Daddy wanted. A strong, healthy
and bubbly bundle in your arms. My hypersensitiveness would have exasperated you. Daddy?
Hmmm… He could have coached me in playing basketball. He’ll be the passer and I am the shooter.
I could have grown into a writer. You would be proud of me coz I’m gonna join contests. Mama, see I
was alive but not anymore. So, please let baby brother live. He could also be as wonderful as me.
His life wouldn’t be like mine. A life that never was.

EDITORIAL WRITING

What is an Editorial?
It is the official stand of the publication on a relevant development or issue. It is a concerted
commentary written by any member of the editorial staff who comments or gives the newspaper’s or
staff’s opinion on an issue which is of interest and importance to the public.
The editorial is considered the soul of the newspaper for it stirs the conscience of the readers to
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action; it influence and molds public opinion. It is usually written in formal language, expressing the
stand of the paper on controversial issues of the day. It has no byline.
It is the expression of the people’s conscience, cause, and convictions.—Joseph Pulitzer
Characteristics of a good editorial

1. Must have clearness of style

2. Moral purpose
3. Sound reasoning
4. The power to influence public opinion
5. Lead logically to a conclusion
6. Present only one idea
7. Avoid wordiness
8. Present facts not mere opinion
9. Concise, around 250-300 words or 2,000-2,500 computer characters (at most 6 paragraphs)
10. Must be decisive and bias

Types of editorial

1. Editorial of information
2. Editorial of interpretation
3. Editorial of criticism
4. Editorial of commendation, appreciation, or tribute
5. Editorial of argumentation
6. Editorial of entertainment
7. Mood editorial
8. Pooled editorial

How to write an editorial?

In writing editorial, select only one specific idea to develop. Be sure the topic is of interest to the
reader.
Organize your editorial in three parts:

1. Introduction
Contains the newspeg with the reaction. It is usually one short paragraph.(A newspeg is a
brief statement about the news event upon which the editorial is based or an existing issue
that needs to be solved right away)
2. Body
It may take two to four short paragraphs that support or justify the reaction. Cite reasons,
statistics, interviews, or figures.
3. Ending
The ending, sometimes called the clincher, summarizes the editorial’s stand. It must be
crispy and difficult to forget.

Example of an introduction
(reaction is italicized; newspeg is in regular font)
The new office policy of requiring tardy students to study their lessons in the literary while they
wait for the next period is both timely and wise.
It is a source of great pride and inspiration for our school to come out second in the NSAT
regionwide.
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 Our general PTA is really generous and concerned for the student’s welfare. They will donate
labor and materials to improve the school gym.

Titles

Like in feature articles, the editorial has also a head or title which should be brief (preferably less
than four words), forceful and interesting. In writing editorials, there is no room for “balimbings.”
Though the writer must present both sides, he/she must, in the end, take a concrete stand on the
issue. To perfect this, one must keep on toes on the different issues swarming the society from
the most complicated to the most mundane topics.

Pointers in writing editorial

1. Make the editorial interesting enough to read.

2. Develop it from one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence and expanded into
the body of the editorial.
3. Have a purpose well in mind that should be accomplished with sufficient data.
4. Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments, with each argument leading up to the
conclusion.
5. Peg the lead sentence on recent, relevant news for its impact value.
6. Present both sides of an issue and clarify tricky aspects with a widely understood
analogy or with an illustration that makes for easier understanding.
7. Direct the editorial towards the establishment of a consensus.
8. Article must be simple, direct, clear, and forceful.
9. No double meanings.
10. It must reflect clear, logical thinking.
11. Subject matter must be significant to the readers.
12. Sentences and paragraphs must be comparatively short.

Do’s and Don’ts in writing an editorial

1. Win the reader’s interest with an impelling lead paragraph.

2. Avoid generalities by using plenty of facts and by telling what these facts mean.
3. Keep your editorials short; around 300 words (2,500 computer characters) only.
4. Do not preach, scold or moralize.
5. Relate editorials directly to the lives of the reader.
6. Avoid the first person, “I.” Use the editorial “We.”
7. Write simply.
8. Develop editorial from only one specific, limited idea, phrased in one sentence and expanded
into the body.
9. Sentences and paragraphs should be relatively short.
10. Accomplish your purpose.

Editorial beginnings
An editorial may start with:
1. A simple statement that gives enough of the situation, problem or news to be discussed.
2. A question that calls attention to, give an idea about the problem or point out the logical
development of the topic.
3. A striking statement that jolts the imagination and arouses the interest of the reader.
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 4. A quotation relevant to the subject under discussion.
5. A narrative illustrating the problem or situation.

Example:
Vandals

ATENEO de Iloilo’s walls have a new coat of paint and are presently clean. Whether they retain their
present state of cleanliness depends almost entirely on the students.
The first spots appeared as a result of negligent student leaning against the walls and scraping the
soles of their shoes on them. Some students have also taken a peculiar delight in making long pencil
scrawls on the walls as they go to classes.
According to an observant parent, Ateneans, more than any other group of students, abuse their
buildings. This report, whether true or otherwise, should serve as a challenge.
Will the walls remain clean?

SPORTS WRITING

What is Sports Reporting?

Sports writing has become one of the most popular forms of modern journalistic writing. More and
more Atenean readers are now turning to the sports section before looking at the more prosaic news
of the time.
But while may talk about sports, there are only few who can write a sports story. Even experienced
reporters get lost covering games and writing about them because it takes more than just answering
the 5 W’s and 1 H to be able to come up with a comprehensive sports news story.

Example

ILAGAN, Isabela—Isabela National High School, behind the remarkable performances of Florante
Carreon and Paul Gonzales, took all the Roxas National High School could offer before hacking out
a close 60-59 win in an exhibition game held at St. Ferdinand College Court here, Tuesday.
Carreon scored 21 points to lead Isabela and Gonzales 13 points but delivered this on the crucial
part of the game including the winning free throw.
The game started in a roller-coaster encounter and the first half ended 28-27 with Isabela on the
lead.
The second half was still close and Roxas took the lead with two minutes to go, but Gonzales
displayed a big heart as he connected a three-pointer to give Isabela the lead, 54-53.
Rolly Menor carried Roxas on that decisive moment and tied the game at 59-all with 15 seconds to
go.
Gonzales fished a foul with 10 seconds left and split his charity for the lead, 60-59.
Herman Menor refused to give up but his last desperate jumpshot went in-and-out of the ring.
“Faith carried us through this game, it’s a good game,” said Gonzales after the game.
Box scores:
INHS (60)—Carreon 21, Gonzales, 13, Magusib, 12, Mercado 6, Aguinaldo 4, Martinez 2,
Cabanlong 2, Ong 0, Lim 0, Gumaru 0.
RNHS (59)—Menor 22, Balagan 18, Malaca 12, Soriano 7, Allavigan 0, gonzaga 0, Advincula 0,
Limbauan 0, Galapon 0.
Sports News Structure
Like any other news story, a sports story has a lead and a body. The sports lead is the attention-

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getter and the body is the news in a-nut-shell.
The classic 5 W’s and 1 H appear in the sports lead as:

1. Who won? 2. How did they win? 3. Against whom? 4. By what score? 5. Where? and 6. When?
The Torres High School Quintet (1) poured 10 baskets in the last three minutes (2) to edge out the
Osmenians (3) 65-63 (4) at the opponents homeground (5) yesterday afternoon (6).
This kind of summary lead may vary.

The lead can also highlight other elements like:

1. The key play

LAKANDULA, Iloilo—The visiting Soliman High School sluggers bombed the Lakandula
batters with six runs in the third inning to subdue a nerve-frazzling Lakandula rally, 14-12, as
they clinched the invitational game here, in connection with the celebration of the school’s
Foundation Day.
2. The outstanding player
EDWARD Ong of Ateneo de Iloilo, after almost four hours of battle over the chessboard,
copped the most coveted YMCA trophy after outwitting Philippine Science High School
chesser William Santos in 27 moves of a Sicilian defense.
3. Analytical approach
RIDING high on sizzling spikes and tricky placing, the spitfire Ateneo Blue Dragons blasted
the Ateneo Blue Eagles killers in the crucial third set to won 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 in the Jesuit
Athletics Meet (JAM), Sept. 21, at the Sacred HeartSchool in Cebu yesterday

The body
After the lead, the other elements follow in descending order. These will include:

1. Team and/or individual standing

2. Decisive plays
3. Best scores for the day
4. Play-by-play
5. Quotations

Elements that make up a good sports article:

1. Personalities
2. Play-by-play description
3. Statistics and comparisons
4. Quotes by players
5. Quotes by trainers and coaches
6. Background stuff on players
7. The importance or significance of the event
8. Background of the game
9. Weather conditions
10. Crowd and celebration

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Lingos and Slanguages

Basketball (basketbol)
Quintet, goal (gol o buslo), dribble (dribol), pivot, rally, rebound (rebaun), technical foul, 15-foot line,
hook shot, zone defense, first half (unang kalahati), tip-in, full court, press, box out, slam dunk, man-
to-man, trey, full-court press, hook shot, goaltending, baseline, board, layup (leyap), out-of-bounds,
dominated the paint

Baseball or Softball (beisbol at sopbol)

Diamond, pitcher (pitser), catcher (katser), back stop, hit a homerun, rolling ball, short stop,
southpaw, pegged at third, fast ball, playoff (n, adj), play off (v.), slugger, wild pitch, bullpen

Boxing (boksing)
Southpaw, slugger, rabbit punch, kidney punch, referee stopped contest (RSC), technical knockout,
featherweight,

Chess
Checkmate, rook, queenside, Sicilian opening, Ruy Lopez defense, Queen’s gambit, knight, white,
black, fast pawn, en passé, castle, pin, open check, blunder, Philidor’s defense

Volleyball
Spike (spaik), placing (pleysing), change court, kill (kil), Chinese kill, block, net ball, wallop (wallop),
jump serve, spiker (spay-ker), server (serber)

Soccer or Football
Soccerites, goalie, corner kick, penalty kick, full back, defenders, booters, kick off (v.), kickoff (adj)

Track
Pass on the baton, breasted the tape, clock a new record, photo finish, distance runner, century run
Tennis and Badminton
Best of three matches, love set, backhand, drive, doubles, racket, forehand, smash cut

Swimming
Tanker, aquabelle, breast stroke, plunge, springboard, tank, dive, summersault

‘
COPY READING AND HEADLINE WRITING

Copyreading is much like the work of a communication arts teacher correcting compositions, except
that he uses different symbols.
A copy may be a news item, an editorial, a feature story or any literary article.
Duties of a copyreader:

1. Straighten out ungrammatical construction.

2. Shorten sentences and tighten paragraphs.
3. See that the paper’s style requirements are strictly followed. Check names, addresses, title,
designations, identifications, figures, etc.
4. Rewrite the story completely if it is poorly written.

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 5. Rewrite the lead or the first few paragraphs whenever necessary, but must never tamper
with the facts unless he is sure of his corrections.
6. Delete all opinion, speculations and statements on news which are without attribution or
sources.
7. Watch out for slanting or any attempt to present the story in a subtly biased way.
8. Watch for libelous statements.
9. Recheck figures and totals.
10. Cross-out adjectives in news which tend to make a story sound over-written.
11. Cut a story to size or to the required length if necessary.
12. Check attributions and see to it that they are properly identified.
13. Challenge facts, claims, or reports when they sound anomalous, illogical and incredible.
14. Check sluglines and paging sequences
15. Write headlines

What to copyread?

1. Errors in fact
2. Errors in grammar
3. Errors in structure
4. Errors in style
5. Libelous and derogatory statements
6. Seditious and rebellious matter
7. Expressions contrary to law and good taste
8. Opinion and editorializing statements
9. Verbal deadwood, redundancy
10. Technical terms, slang, jargons

Copy-reading symbols
Punctuation Marks
Symbols Meaning Outcome
The Bionic Woman Emphasize quotes “The Bionic Woman”
Dr Arthur Cruz Jr Emphasize periods Dr. Arthur Cruz Jr.
said “I must go.” Emphasize comma said, “I must go.”
Numbers and Abbreviations
in Nov. Spell out in November
Doctor Arthur Cruz Abbreviate Dr. Arthur Cruz
twenty boys Use numeral 20 boys
2 girls were… Spell out Two girls were…

Special form of type

Manila, philippines Capitalize MANILA, Philippines
Letter and word changes
meet on Saturday Bridge over meet Saturday
those b oys Close up space those boys
Fe Cruz Principal Transpose Principal Fe Cruz
recieve Transpose receive
pamplet Insert letter pamphlet
went market Insert word went to market
Manila pAper Lower case Manila paper
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received free gifts Delete word received gifts
judgement Delete letter within judgment
develope iskill Delete before/after develop skill
the most talented and Kill the principal
enthusiastic principal
Allright wehave time Insert space All right we have time
We were indeed very Run in copy We were indeed very
happy because happy because…

Others
Paco, Manila… Indent for paragraph Paco, Manila…
Today he will… Today he will…
Welfrido Cruz Spell as written Welfrido Kruz
One boy came Restore text; disregard On boy came

correction
Elected prexy Center subhead Elected prexy
the un - Syllabicate the un-
finished task finished task
The gong Set in boldface the gong
She read Les Miserables Set in italics She read Les Miserables
30 or # Story is finished
more or ) Story is unfinished
Seminar Text continued on the
(…2) Next page
# - folio copy See copy as written

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

SAMPLE COPY TEST

Slug line: ________________________
Headline: _____________________________ No. of units: ____________
The PNU elementary school launch the anual cleanliness & beatification contest September 16 at
the school social hole.
In a mating with Presidents and vice-presidents of each class from Grade III to Gr. Six, Mrs. Alegria
Flora Principal explain the prosedures to folow.
According to the principal, its class class will be given an areas to cleaned. Ones a week, school
officials will vissit the area and chose the cleanest amongst them.
Prices will be awarded to the class who’s area will be pick the cleanest for 3 times. Th
This will give insentives to the students explained Mrs. Flores.
The handsome and intelligent Mr. Garcia Ramon, vocation al teacher who facilitated the meeting told
the studes that thru the contest cooperation will be developed
while order and cleanliness be maintained.
Congrattulations Mrs. Garcia

Headlining
It is easy to write the news headline. Just look at the first paragraph called the lead which contains
the gist, Just write the gist of that lead.
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Do’s and don’t’s in writing traditional headlines

1. Make your headline answer as many W’s as possible.

2. The headline should summarize the news story, but must avoid using all the words used in
the lead. It should contain nothing that is not found in the story.
3. Positive heads are preferable to negative ones. School physician allays flu fear is better than
Flu epidemic not rampant in city.
4. Out a verb expressed or implied in every deck.
5. Omit articles like a, an, and the, and all forms of the verb to be (is, are, be, etc.), unless
needed to make the meaning clear.
6. Use the strongest word in the first line as much as possible.
7. The active verb is better than the passive verb in headlines (Food production drive
intensified; RP’s lost image abroad regained)
8. Use the present tense for past stories and the infinitive form for future stories (Archbishop
Sin bats for national reconciliation; Lantern parade to cap Xmas affairs).
9. Write numbers in figures or spell them out depending upon your needs for your unit counts.
10. Avoid heads that carry double meaning.
11. Use only common abbreviations.

Punctuating a headline

1. Use a comma in place of the conjuction and

2. Two related thoughts should be separated with a semicolon.
3. The dash may be used in smaller decks but not for headlines in large types.
4. The single quotation marks are used in headlines.
5. Follow the other rules of punctuations.

Unit counting in headline

½ unit - jiltf and all punctuations except the em dash (--), and the question mark (?)
1 unit - the question mark, space, all figures, capital JILTF, all lower case letters except jiltf
1 ½ units - the em dash, lower case m and w, and all capital letters except capital M and W and
JILTF
2 units - capital M, W

Headline vocabulary (Formula: subject-verb-object ala text message)

1. Faculty club strengthened (beefed up)

2. Enrolment decreases (dips)
3. Science examinations announced (quiz bared)
4. Contests highlight Animal Week (cap)
5. Santos urges cooperation (bats for, calls for)
6. DepEd disapproves tuition fee increase (bucks, nixes, axes)
7. Ateneo wins 12 medals in press contest (bags, romp away with; tilt, parley)
8. Principal praises editors humility (lauds, extols)
9. Local staff dominates press tilt (rules, lords over)
10. Local basketball players retain championship (sluggers; crown)
11. US attacks Russ nuclear test (hits)
12. Laurel ends diplomatic tour (winds up)
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 13. Cops ended syndicate (busted)
14. Slay suspect questioned (grilled, probed)
15. RP sees import hike (eyes)
16. 456 pass bar exams (hurdle)
17. Lim dismisses 5 cops (fires)
18. RP-Malaysia dispute solved (row)
19. Fiscal dismiss rape charge (dismiss; rap)
20. Import talk delayed (snagged)

Mga halimbawa

Huwag gumamit ng pangalan maliban kung kilala ito

Mali—Jaime Diaz, nahalal na pangulo
Tama—Mag-aaral ng Mapa, nahalal na pangulo ng samahan
Maging tiyak (specific)
Mali—Mag-aaral, nagwagi sa paligsahan
Tama—Mag-aaral ng Mapa, nagwagi sa pagsulat ng balita
Iwasan ang opinyon sa balita
Mali—Paaralang Datu Puti, lumaro ng kahanga-hanga
Tama—Paaralang Datu Puti, nanalo ng 3 sa 4 na laban
Lagyan ng pandiwa ang bawat ulo
Mali—Limang guro sa seminar
Tama—Limang guro, dadalo sa seminar
Iwasan ang paggamit ng negatibong pandiwa
Mali—Paligsahan sa talumpatian, hindi matutuloy
Tama—Paligsahan sat al;umpatian, pinagpaliban
Gumamit ng makakatawag-pansing pandiwa
Mahina—Tinato ng Ateneo ang St. Joseph, 50-36
Malakas—Pinataob ng Ateneo ang St. Joseph, 50-36
Gamitin ang maikli at kilalang salita
Masalita—Bayang Pilipinas, sasali sa pandaigdig na palaro
Maikli—RP, sasali sa olimpiyada
Iwasan ang paggamit ng pantukoy at ng pandiwang pantulong nahango saverb to be
Mali—Si Japhet Burgos ay ang napiling punong patnugot ng Ripples
Tama—Japhet Burgos, napiling punong patnugot ng Ripples

EDITORIAL CARTOONING

It is an editorial page illustration expressing opinion and interpretation (a column or opinion in

cartoon form). The word cartoon is derived from two words: caricature and lampoon.
A caricature is an exaggerated description, generally by sketching. It is a pictorial representation of a
person or thing in which a defect or peculiarity is exaggerated so as to produce a ludicrous effect.
A lampoon, on the other hand, is a piece of malicious writing, a personal-written satire that attacks
and ridicules.
A good cartoon appeals to the reader’s sense of humor in order to persuade him/her to accept an
opinion.
How to conceptualize?

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1. Read/listen—research your facts well.
2. Decide on your point of view or angle of your chosen issue.
3. Make your comment on the issue.
4. Translate your comment into coordinating, representative graphic symbols (e.g. crocodile for
corrupt officials and typewriter for press)
5. Take into consideration the paper’s target readers.
6. Sketch/make doodles.
7. Draw your final cartoon.
Ways to present your view

1. Take the issue to a ridiculous situation.

2. Exaggerate the effect of an issue.
3. Use cliché or something contemporary or “in.”
4. Juxtapose or put together two events, even unrelated ones.
5. Take quotes literally. Play with words.
6. Consider the occasion.
7. Make an interesting artwork.
8. Caricature a political figure and add a punch line.

Tips for cartooning

1. Limit the use of words and labels.
2. Use universal symbols, those which can be understood at once by your intended reader.
3. Have your own style. Do not copy or plagiarize.
4. If your cartoon is about the editorial for the day, it must reinforce the stand stated in the piece.
5. Choose a most interesting issue and express your comment in an arresting way.
6. Do not clutter your cartoon with unnecessary details or complicate your drawing with artistic
touches. These will just distract from the impact of the cartoon. Minimal is better.
7. Cover your cartoon with a frame or border.
8. Use shading to make your article more convincing.

Steps in Editorial Cartooning

Dr. Net Billones, one of the country’s top cartoonists, suggests the following steps:

1. List down the subjects to choose from.

2. Once the subject is chosen, ask what is the issue? What is the paper’sopinion about the
issue?
Example:
Issue—Press freedom
Opinion—The government is going back to the martial law days as far as press freedom is
concerned.

3. Decide the symbols to be used

Example:
Government—GMA
Press freedom—bird (dove) flying, typewriter, school paper
Repression—chain, scissors, slingshot, bar

4. Draw the cartoon.

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