The document outlines the importance of copy editing and headline writing in creating polished and engaging written content, emphasizing their roles in accuracy and reader engagement. Copy editing focuses on correcting errors, improving clarity, and ensuring consistency, while headline writing aims to attract attention, summarize content, and drive engagement. Together, these processes are essential for producing high-quality journalism and professional writing.

1. COPY EDITING AND HEADLINE WRITING
BY PURITA S. LICAS

2.  Copy Editing and HeadlineWriting are critical processes in
producing polished, engaging, and impactful written content,
particularly in journalism, publishing, and other forms of
professional writing. Each plays a vital role in ensuring that the
final product is not only accurate but also captivating for
readers.

3. COPY EDITING
 Copy editing is the process of reviewing and correcting
written material to improve accuracy, readability, and flow. It
involves checking grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and
factual correctness. It may also include making suggestions to
improve clarity, coherence, and consistency.

4. GOALS OF COPY EDITING
• Clarity: Ensuring the text is easy to understand and free of
ambiguity.
• Correctness: Ensuring proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, and
adherence to style guides.
• Consistency: Maintaining uniformity in style, tone, terminology,
and formatting throughout the text.
• Conciseness: Eliminating unnecessary words or sentences without
sacrificing meaning.
• Accuracy: Fact-checking names, dates, places, and statistical data to
ensure they are correct.

5. TASKS OF A COPY EDITOR
• Correcting Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling: Ensuring that language is error-free.
• Ensuring Consistency in Style: Using style guides like AP (Associated Press), or in-house guides
to keep the document’s tone and style consistent.
• Improving Readability: Breaking up long sentences, simplifying complex phrasing, and enhancing
the flow of the writing.
• Fact-Checking: Verifying facts, dates, names, and other crucial information.
• Trimming Unnecessary Content: Removing redundancy, repetition, or irrelevant details that do
not serve the text.
• Formatting: Checking formatting consistency in headings, subheadings, lists, and citations.
• Eliminating Bias: Ensuring neutral and objective language is used, especially in journalistic or
academic writing.

6. Symbol Instruction
Three short lines
under a letter or word
indicate that it is to be
capitalized
cagayan Cagayan
Example:
Commonly use Copyediting Symbols

7. Symbol Instruction
Example:
the School
A line drawn through
a capital letter
indicates that it is not
to be capitalized.
the school

8. Symbol Instruction
Example:
eleven 11
A circle around a
number spelled out
indicates that it is to
be set in figures

9. Symbol Instruction
To indicate that the
number set in figure must
be spelled out because it’s
the first word of the
sentence
Example.
11 Eleven

10. Symbol Instruction
Example:
Saint St.
Abbreviate a word

11. Symbol Instruction
Spell an abbreviated
word
Example:
St. Saint

12. Symbol Instruction
Example:
^
Caret which means
insert a word or words,
or letter
in school
the
^
in the school
NOTE: This is the only symbol that you
need to incorporate the necessary missing
word/ words/ letter/letters.

13. Symbol Instruction
Example:
Transposition
Marcos Baguio sacks
police chief
Marcos sacks Baguio
police chief
NOTE: In AP, we use.
Marcos Baguio sacks police chief

14. Symbol Instruction
Example:
Delete a word, words,
phrase, sentence,
paragraph.
She received free gifts. She received gifts.
NOTE: In AP, we use.
She received free gifts.

15. Symbol Instruction
Example:
Disregard correction
indicated
Stet
The slow learner students
have to attend special classes.
Stet
The slow learner students
have to attend special classes.

16. Symbol Instruction
Example:
End signs or symbols
# or 30
He vowed to complete the P1.3 billion
infrastructure project before his term ends. #
He vowed to complete the P1.3 billion
infrastructure project before his term ends. 30
or

17. Symbol Instruction
Curve lines connecting
words indicate that the
words are to be joined.
Example:
Break through Breakthrough

18. Symbol Instruction
Example:
“ pigskin “
to insert Quotation marks
“School heads and teachers are
reminded to make graduation
ceremonies simple yet
meaningful,” Paragas said.

19. Symbol Instruction
Example:
A period in a circle or a
cross indicates a period.
X or
Blvd. or Blvd.
X
NOTE: In AP, we use.
to insert a period.

20. Symbol Instruction
Example:
New paragraph
L
L
The door is open.The meeting will be on Monday
Symbol Instruction
Indent for paragraph
¶
The door is open.The meeting will be on Monday.
¶

21. Symbol Instruction
Example:
Run in with previous line
He wrote the news and
went home.

22. Symbol Instruction
Example:
Insert a comma
“You ’ re a gold digger,
Romina , ” said Daniella.
Insert an apostrophe

23. Symbol Instruction
Example:
I opened the door and there
she stood my long lost
sister.
Pre World War II buildings

24. HEADLINEWRITING
 Headline writing is the process of crafting concise,
attention-grabbing titles for articles, news reports, blog
posts, or other written content. A headline serves to
attract readers while summarizing the content in a way
that entices them to continue reading.

25. PURPOSE OF A HEADLINE
• Attract Attention:A strong headline pulls readers in, making
them want to read more.
• Summarize Content: It provides a brief and accurate
summary of what the article is about.
• Set Expectations:The headline gives readers a sense of what
they’ll gain or learn from the article.
• Drive Engagement: In the digital world, a well-crafted headline
boosts click-through rates and shares on social media.

26. TYPES OF HEADLINES
• News Headline: Directly states the facts.
Example: Wildfire ravages 10,000 acres in Cagayan
• Feature Headline: More creative, engaging, or thematic.
Example: Inside the minds of the world’s best innovators
• Opinion Headline: Reflects personal or editorial viewpoints.
Example: Why we need urgent action on Climate Change
• Question Headline: Provokes curiosity.
Example: Is artificial intelligence really taking over the world?

27. TYPES OF HEADLINES
• How-to Headline: Offers a solution or instruction.
Example: How to save money on your monthly bills
• Command Headline: Calls the reader to action.
Example: Stop making these common health mistakes today

28. QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE HEADLINE
• Clarity:The headline should make the subject of the
article instantly clear.Avoid ambiguity.
• Conciseness: Headlines are usually short, ideally between
5-10 words.They should deliver the key point succinctly.
• Relevance: Ensure that the headline accurately reflects the
content. It should not be misleading or "clickbait."

29. QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE HEADLINE
• Engagement:The headline should be compelling and
provoke an emotional response, such as curiosity, excitement,
or urgency.
• Keyword Usage: For online content, headlines should
include relevant keywords for Search Engine Optimization
(SEO) purposes, ensuring the content is discoverable.

30. HEADLINEWRITING TECHNIQUES
• Use StrongVerbs: Verbs give a headline energy and action.
Example: Lawmakers Fight Over Budget Bill
• Incorporate Numbers: Numbers add specificity and catch the eye.
Example: 5Ways to BoostYour Productivity
• Appeal to Emotions: Use emotionally charged words or ideas
to grab attention.
Example: Heartbreaking Stories from the FloodVictims

31. HEADLINEWRITING TECHNIQUES
• Ask a Question: A question piques curiosity.
Example:What Happens IfWe Don’t Act on GlobalWarming Now?
• Use Alliteration orWordplay: These make headlines
catchy and memorable.
Example: Fearless Fighters: Facing the Future of Climate Change

32. COMMON MISTAKES IN HEADLINE WRITING
• Being too vague:“Big News Today” doesn’t give enough information or intrigue to
capture attention.
• Overcomplicating the headline:“The Global Political and Economic Impacts of
the Ongoing Energy Crisis and How It Affects Every Nation” is too long and difficult
to follow.
• Misleading or inaccurate: "World Ends Tomorrow" (when it doesn't) will erode
trust with your audience.
• Not considering SEO (Search Engine Optimizer): If writing for the web, not including keywords
can reduce search visibility.

33. EXAMPLE OF A STRONG HEADLINE
 For an article about saving energy at home:
• Weak Headline: Ways to Save Energy
• Strong Headline:
10 Easy Ways to CutYour Energy Bill by 20% this Summer

34.  Both copy editing and headline writing are crucial in producing quality written material.
Copy editing ensures clarity, accuracy, and readability, polishing the text so that it is
professional and error-free. Headline writing is essential for drawing the reader in and
setting the stage for the article.Together, they work to create an engaging, informative, and
trustworthy reading experience.
 In summary:
• Copy Editing refines content by correcting mistakes, improving readability, and ensuring
accuracy.
• HeadlineWriting attracts and engages readers with concise, compelling summaries that
reflect the content accurately.