Handout 3

May 12, 2023

NEWSWRITING

Prepared by: Jonel R. Baliwag

DEFINITION OF NEWS

1. News comprises all current activities which are of general human interest and the best news is that which interests
most of the reader.
2. Anything that enough people want to read is news provided it does not violate the canons of good taste and the
law of libel.
3. News is like a hot cake coming straight from oven.
4. News is the report of an event that is fresh, unusual and which is interesting to a greater number of people.

STRUCTURE OF NEWS

The journalist must present information in descending order of importance. To get a deeper understanding, a
news story or report is divided into 5 parts namely;

1. Headline – tells what the story is

about
2. Byline – shows who wrote the story
3. Lead – tells the most important facts
(5 W’s)
4. Body – contains more information
and details
5. Ending – gives something to think
about

News articles are written in a structure

known as the “inverted pyramid.” In the
inverted pyramid format, the most newsworthy information goes at the beginning of the story and the least
newsworthy information goes at the end

WHAT IS LEAD (OR LEDE) ?

The lede (or lead) of a news article is the first sentence, usually written as one paragraph, that tells the most
important information of the story. When writing a lede, it is helpful to use the “tell a friend” strategy.
Imagine you had to sum up to a friend, in one sentence, what your story is about.
How would you sum up quickly what happened? A story’s lede answers the “Five W’s” in a specific order:
Who? What? When? Where? Why?

For example:The Atlanta Police Department will hold a memorial service Wednesday at Holy Christ Church in
Buckhead for fallen officer Lt. James Montgomery.

WHO: The Atlanta Police Department

WHAT: will hold a memorial service
WHEN: Wednesday
WHERE: Holy Christ Church in Buckhead
WHY: for fallen officer Lt. James Montgomery

WRITING THE HEADLINE

Headlines:
1. must be correct (in fact and implication).
2. must connect to ordinary readers (be easily understood).
3. must attract attention (using interesting, active words).
4. must set (or match) tone of the article.
5. should be clear and specific, telling the reader what the story is about, and be interesting enough to draw
them into reading the article.
Tips and Tricks in Writing Headlines:
 5-10 words at the most
 should be accurate and specific
 Use present tense and active verbs
 Do not use articles - a, an, the
 Do not use conjunctions like and - you can substitute a comma (,)
 Should be complete sentences or imply complete sentence
 Avoid repetition - Headlines summarize; they don't repeat the lead.
 Don't use unidentified pronouns
 Make the headline easy to read. The key purpose of the head: to communicate.
 Don’t mislead reader.
 Don’t exaggerate; maintain neutrality.
 Don’t split nouns, modifiers, verbs and prepositional phrases over two lines.
 Each line should be a unit by itself.
 Abbreviate sparingly .
 Verify accuracy -- and avoid any word that can carry a double meaning.
 Don’t begin with a verb (“Saves daughter from fire”).
 Use present tense to indicate past (“Bush wins presidency”).
 Don’t use present tense to indicate future unless necessary; add time element for clarity.
 Don’t use common or unrecognized names in heads.
 Don’t use said, when you mean said to be (“County said considering tax increase”).
 Don’t use feel, believes or thinks.
 Don’t pad heads with unnecessary words.
 Avoid slang unless relevant to feature story and headline.

N.B. (Nota Bene/Note Well): Please do not upload this handout or review material to any website or FB account. It is intended only
for a specific purpose and specific individuals, the staffers and school paper advisers of The Modern Learner (Official Publication of
the MLC Elementary Department) and The MLC Paragon (Official Publication of the MLC Junior High School Department). Thank
you.
Handout 4
May 12, 2023

COPYREADING AND HEADLINE WRITING

Prepared by: Jonel R. Baliwag

DEFINITION OF COPYREADING
Copyreading is editing or correcting errors made by the reporter and proofreading the errors made
by the typesetter or printer.
 P It is the art of arranging, correcting, and selecting the quality and type of news
 P It is also called copyediting.
 P One who edits copies is called a copyreader or copyeditor

Qualities of a Good Copyreader

1. Good in English and Filipino

2. Observant- alert at all times
3. Careful and patient
4. Master in copyreading symbols

Duties of the copyreader

1. Check facts.
2. Check names, addresses, titles, designations, etc.
3. Correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage, organization and others.
4. Write effective lead.
5. Cut or delete irrelevant materials.
6. Delete “editorializing materials” in a news.
7. Make articles conform to editorial policies.
8. Guard against libelous statement.
9. Write the headlines and decide its typography.
10. Make copy simple and clear.
11. Give instruction to the typesetter regarding font type and font size to be used and
the number of columns and ems.
14. Check slug lines and paging sequences.
15. Indicate corrections by using the copyreading marks.

PROCEDURE IN COPYREADING
1. Read the whole article first to determine what kind of story it is.
2. Having determined the type of story, read the article again. This time determine
what the lead paragraph is.
3. Take note of errors in fact. Check on the accuracy of the statements and
information. Verify when in doubt.
4. Read the story again and mark all paragraph beginnings. Then, correct errors in
grammar, spelling, punctuations, and style using copyreading symbols.
5. Improve the organization of the story. Make sure the lead features the lead fact.
6. Go over the whole story and again. Remove all unnecessary and irrelevant materials.
7. Check the length of the story and then prepare the clean copy.
8. Write a very catchy and fitting headline for the story.
9. Mark the copy for the printer (size, type, column, width, etc.)
10. Encircle the slug line (short title, name of reporter),
11. End page with a paragraph. Do not cut paragraph and continue on the next page.
12. Write “more” at the bottom of the page of unfinished story and continue the next
sheet. Do not use the back page of the paper.
13. On the second page, instead of numbering as page 2, label it “first add” or “add one”
followed by the slug. For example, “first add nabbed” or “add one nabbed”.
14. End the story with number 30 or sharp (#). Encircle it.
15. If the copy could hardly be read because of so many corrections, retype it if time
permits to facilitate editing and typesetting.

COUNTING HEADLINES

N.B. (Nota Bene/Note Well): Please do not upload this handout or review material to any website or FB account. It is intended only
for a specific purpose and specific individuals, the staffers and school paper advisers of The Modern Learner (Official Publication of
the MLC Elementary Department) and The MLC Paragon (Official Publication of the MLC Junior High School Department). Thank
you.
Handout 5
May 13, 2023

HEADLINE WRITING

Prepared by: Jonel R. Baliwag

HEADLINE WRITING
Headline is the title of the news story. It is the display window of the newspaper. It also serves
as a source of information for busy newspaper readers.

Functions of the headlines

1. To give the summary of the news.
2. To present the news for rapid reading
3. To indicate the relative importance of the news by the amount of display
4. To give a leasing appearance to the news pages

Things to remember when writing headlines

1. The headline presents the news in a capsule, thus it is telegraphic.
2. The headline must contain the most important, the most intriguing, and the most
unusual fact of the story. It is not the place for details.
3. The headline must be so constructed as to catch the reader’s attention and make
him read the story.
4. Size and length of the headline must be proportional to the length of the story and
its importance.
5. The headline is based on the lead.
6. The headline makes use of special vocabulary which is not suitable for ordinary
communications.

STEPS IN HEADLINE WRITING

1. Read the whole story to understand its message.
2. Underline the key words from the lead.
3. Using these key words, write a short telegraphic sentence summary of the news (omit
articles, unnecessary auxiliary verbs, prepositions, details).
4. Divide according to units of thought into the number of lines required.
5. Substitute simple, effective synonyms to reduce width within the limits of space

RULES IN WRITING HEADLINE

1. The headline must have a verb and it must be in the present tense
2. The first letter of the first word and proper nouns are generally capitalized.
3. Do not use period.
4. Don’t use the articles a, an, the
5. Don’t use names unless the person is well-known.
6. Use the infinitives for future events
Wrong: City Hall will push anti-squatting drive
Correct: City Hall to push anti-squatting drive
7. Use specific terms instead of generalities.
Wrong: School official gets scholarship
Correct: Principal gets US scholarship
8. Assertions in a headline should have a source or attribution.
Poor: Principal orders suspension of classes
Strong: Classes suspended today, says principal

HEADLINE VOCABULARY
1. accord - agreement 31. lull – calm
2. allay – calm 32. meet – conference, to convene
3. allot – apportion 33. megman – movie director
4. anew – again 34. memo – memorandum
5. assail – attack 35. mull – plan, to think of
6. bare – reveal, expose 36. mum – silent
7. blast – criticize 37. nab - arrest
8. cite – enumerate 38. nix – reject
9. confab – conference 39. okay – approve, accept
10. cop – police 40. peg – to fix at a certain amount
11. curb – control, stop 41. pit – oppose
12. cut – decrease 42. post – position
13. dip – decrease, decline 43. power – electricity
14. draw fire – to be criticized 44. prove – investigation
15. dry run – rehearsal 45. prod – prick
16. due – deadline, schedule 46. quit – resign
17. feud – quarrel, dispute 47. ratify – approve
18. foil – stop 48. raze – destroy
19. gab – conference 49. revamp – to change, reshuffle
20. grill – question, interrogate 50. rift – disagreement
21. hail - welcome 51. row – dispute, disagreement
22. hike – increase 52. rule – decide, decision
23. hit – attack 53. sans – without
24. inquiry – investigation 54. scribe – newspaperman
25. ink – sign 55. skip – avoid
26. junk – to throw away, decline 56. slay – kill, assassinate
27. kin – family 57. solon – lawmaker
28. kit – package 58. try – attempt
29. letup – temporary easing up 59. body – committee
30. link - connect 60. bid, ask – invite, request

N.B. (Nota Bene/Note Well): Please do not upload this handout or review material to any website or FB account. It is intended only
for a specific purpose and specific individuals, the staffers and school paper advisers of The Modern Learner (Official Publication of
the MLC Elementary Department) and The MLC Paragon (Official Publication of the MLC Junior High School Department). Thank
you.
Handout 6
May 13, 2023

PAGSULAT NG BALITA

Prepared by: Jonel R. Baliwag

KATUTURAN

Ang balita ay napapanahon at makatotohanang ulat ng mga pangyayaring naganap na, nagaganap at magaganap
pa lamang.Ito ay maaaring maibahagi sa pamamaraang pasalita, pasulat at pampaningin.

Mga Katangian ng Balita

Kawastuhan . Ang mga datos ay inilahad nang walang labis, walang kulang.
Katimbangan . Inilahad ang mga datos na walang kinikilingan sa alinmang panig ng sangkot.
Makatotohanan . Ang mga impormasyon ay tunay at aktuwal at hindi gawa-gawa lamang.
Kaiklian . Ang mga datos ay inilahad nang diretsahan, hindi maligoy

MGA HAKBANG SA PAGSULAT NG BALITA

Gamit ng mga Ulo ng Balita

1. Upang lagumin ang balita (To summarize the story)
2. Upang pagandahin ang pahina (To make the page attractive)
3. Upang bigyang antas ang bawat balita (To grade the news)

Mga Uri ng Ulo ng Balita

1. Banner (Banner Headline) – ulo ng pinakamahalagang balita na nagtataglay ng pinakamalaking titik at
pinakaitim na tipo.
2. Bandereta (Streamer) – isang baner na tumatawid sa buong pahina .
3. Baynder (Binder) – isang ulo ng balita na tumatawid sa buong pahina na nasa itaas ng panloob na pahina.
4. Kubyerta (Deck, Bank, Readout or Drophead) – pangalawang ulo ng bahagi pa rin ng baner na nagtataglay
ng lalong maliit na titik at
naiibang tipo sa unang ulo.
5. Payong (Umbrella or Skyline) – tanging pangalan sa bandereta na nasa itaas ng pangalan ng pahayagan
(Nameplate) na pumapayong sa
lahat.
6. Sabhed (Subhead) – isang maikling pamagat na ginagamit upang mabigyang ang mahabang istorya ng break
o putting ispasyo (white space)
upang hindi pagsawaan ang pagbabasa.
7. Taglayn (Tagline), Tiser (Teaser), o Kiker (Kicker) – binubuo ng isang maikling linya na inilalagay sa itaas
ng pinakaulo sa bandang kaliwa nito
o sentro. Ito rin ay nagtataglay ng maliit na tipo at sinalungguhitan. Ginagamit ito pang-akit sa bumabasa at
ito’y isang salita o parirala
lamang kung ang taglayn ay mas malaki kaysa ulo ng bahagi.
8. Nakakahong Ulo (Boxed Head) – ulo ng balita na kinulong sa mga guhit para maipakita ang kahalagahan.
9. Talon-ulo (Jump Head) – ulo ng jump story na nasa ibang pahina.

Uri ng Ulo ng Balita Ayon sa Anyo (According to Structure)

1. Pantay-Kaliwa (Flush Left) – binubuo ng dalawa o higit pang linya na pantay ang pagkakahanay sa
kaliwang baybayin. Ang kabaliktaran nito ay ang ‘Pantay-Kanan” (Flush Right)
2. Draplayn (Dropline or Step Form) – binubuo ng dalawa o higit pang linya na ang unang linya ay pantay
kaliwa at ang bawat kasunod na linya
ay inurong pakanan.
3. Bitin-Pantay (Hanging Indention) – binubuo ng maraming linya ang unang linya ay pantay kaliwa, at ang
dalawa o tatlong magkakapantay na
linya ay inuring pakanan.
4. Baligtad na Piramide o Tagilo (Inverted Pyramid) – binubuo ng dalawa o higit pang linya na paikli ang
haba, na ang huli at pinakamaikling
linya ay nakasentro.
5. Kroslayn o Barlayn (Crossline or Barline) – binubuo ng isang linya lamang na maaaring sumakop ng
dalawa o tatlong kolum.
6. Plaslayn (Flushline or Full Line) – Dalawa o higit pang magkasinghabang linya na umaabot sa kaliwa at
kanang mardyin

Mga Tuntuning Tradisyunal sa Pagsulat ng Ulo ng Balita

1. Iwasan ang magdikit-dikit na titik o salita.
Hal. ArawangMakakaisangBansa,ipinagdiwang
2. Iwasan ang madadalang na titik.
Hal. O p e r a t i o n L i n i s S i n i m u l a n
3. Iwasan ang ulong walang pandiwa.
Hal. Limang guro sa Seminar
4. Iwasan ang ulong pang-etika.
Hal. Linggo ng Wika
5. Iwasan ang pag-uulit ng salita o ideya sa ulong may higit ng isang kubyerta.
Hal. Mali- Aklasan sa UST, nalutas
Nagsipag aklas, bumalik
Tama- Aklasan sa UST, nalutas
guro, kawani nagsibalik
6. Huwag gagamit ng pangalan maliban kung ang tao’y tanyag o kilalang kilala.
7. Maging tiyak, iwasan ang masaklaw na pagpapahayag
8. Iwasan ang opinion sa balita. Ibigay ang tunay na pangyayari
9. Lagyan ng pandiwa ang bawat ulo, lantad man o tago
10. Iwasan ang paggamit ng negatibong pandiwa
11. Gumamit ng mabisa at nakakatawag-pansing pandiwa

N.B. (Nota Bene/Note Well): Please do not upload this handout or review material to any website or FB account. It is intended only for a specific
purpose and specific individuals, the staffers and school paper advisers of The Modern Learner (Official Publication of the MLC Elementary
Department) and The MLC Paragon (Official Publication of the MLC Junior High School Department). Thank you.

Handout 7
May 13, 2023
 PAGWAWASTO NG KOPYA AT PAG-UULO NG BALITA

Prepared by: Jonel R. Baliwag

GAWAIN SA PAGWAWASTO

 Tiyaking tumpak ang mga datos sa artikulo may wastong gramatika at pagbabaybay ng mga
salita. 
 Magwawasto ng kamalian ng mga datos batay sa kahalagahan nito. 
 Tinitiyak nito kung mabisa ang pamatnubay na ginagamit sa may-akda. 
 Pumuputol at kumakaltas ng di-mahalagang datos. 
 Magtanggal ng mga salitang nagsasaad ng opinyon kung ang winawasto ay balita.
 Magpalit ng mga salitang mahirap maunawaan ng karamihang mambabasa.
 Magtanggal ng mga salitang walang kabuluhan tulad ng bangkay na di humihinga, hawak ng
kamay, pasan sa balikat at iba pa.  sinusunod nito ang istilo ng pahayagan.
 Tinitiyak nitong malaya sa anumang libelong pamamahayag ang akda. 
 Tinitingnan nitong ang akda ay may mabisang istilo at ulo. 
 Sumusulat ng ulo ng balita at nagpapasya sa tipograpiya nito. 
 Magbigay ng tagubilin sa tagapaglimbag ukol sa laki at tipong gagamitin, kolum at bilang ng
ems.

HAKBANG SA PAGWAWASTO
1. Basahin muna ang buong siping wawastuin.
2. Alamin ang kabuuan ng istorya.
3. Wastuin ang gramatika, bantas, baybay. . .
4. Tiyakin ang katumpakan ng mga tala at tukuyin kung nagtataglay ito ng mahahalagang
impormasyong lalo na sa pamatnubay (lead)
5. Matapos ang pagwawasto, bashin ang sipi kung maayos na ang pagkasusunud-sunod at pagka-
uugnay-ugnay ng impormasyon.
6. Isulat ang ulo.
7. Isulat ang printer’s direction.

TIPS SA PAG-UULO NG BALITA

 Basahin ang buong sipi at kunin ang pinakadiwa nito.

 Tukuyin at salungguhitan ang salitang batayan sa iyong headline.
 Ang mga palatandaan sa headline ay karaniwang nasa pamatnubay. 
 Gamit ang mga palatandaang salita na ito, bumuo ng short telegraphic sentence na bubuod sa sipi.

 Gumamit ng tiyak at simpleng salita. 
 Gumamit ng kuwit sa halip ng at.  Huwag gumamit ng mga pantukoy (ang, ang mga, si . . .)
N.B. (Nota Bene/Note Well): Please do not upload this handout or review material to any website or FB account. It is intended only
for a specific purpose and specific individuals, the staffers and school paper advisers of The Modern Learner (Official Publication of
the MLC Elementary Department) and The MLC Paragon (Official Publication of the MLC Junior High School Department). Thank
you.