Techniques of Editing and Proof Reading

The editorial function is primarily treatment of information and balancing amongst other things – Like information available, needs and interest of the target audience, availability of time and space and management policy of the organisation. Treatment includes correction, addition, alteration, deletion, and revision of the available material. The editor himself contributes article, which is known as editorial. The editorial deals with broad policy issues of public interest.

After editing, the news is sent to be composed in composing room. The editor gives his direction to the compositor through certain signs and symbols, which are presented below :

Editorial Symbols

Sl.No. Symbol Meaning

1. Separate

2. Close-up

3. Paragraph

4. Transpose words

5. Story finished

6. Omit/Delete

7. Set all in same paragraph

8. Joint up but leave space

Abbreviate or write out words or figures

Proof reading

The news that is composed after edition is called proof. The proof is not directly sent for printing; rather the proofreader reads it to find out if there is any incorrectness. He attributes different sings to the fault noticed. After proof reading, the proof again goes for correction to the composing section. Mistakes may remain in the matter even after correction. The proofreader re-reads it. This process is called reproof reading. When the proofreader does not find any mistakes in the proof he writes O.K. on the proof. Then only that news is sent for printing.

Different level of proof

1. Gally proof : The composed matter is kept in ‘gally’, which is made of metal and raised wooden frame. The composed matter is carried with a stick or iron from the gally and the first proof is tallied.

2. Make-up proof : After the correction by the gally proof reader, its make-up is needed. The meaning of make-up is to set the matter properly, put the heading etc. Make-up proof is brought by hand. Compositor draws the make-up of the pages in separate pages.

3. Page proof : The compositor sends the page to the proofreader. Proofreader reads the entire matter, marks the mistakes through established signs and returns is to the compositor. This is also called first proof.

4. Machine proof : After correcting mistakes marked in first proof, the printer brings out one proof

which is given to the proof reader. This is also called second proof.

5. Last proof : Correcting the mistakes of machine proof, the printer sends it once more to the proofreader. If there is still some fault, the proofreader again puts his remarks and sends it for print order to the printer. This is called third proof.

6. Print order proof : After taking print order, the printer brings out the print of that news and it is given to the proof reader once more. The proof reader again reads that print and mark O.K.

Proof reading symbols

Sl.No. Symbol Meaning

1. Delete

2. Move down

3. Move up

4. Move to left

5. Move to right

6. eq # Equalize spacing between words

7. X Broken letter

8. N. P. Begin a new paragraph

9. R. O. No new paragraph

10. Verify information

11. Sp Spell out abbreviation

12. == Straighten type

13. Align type

14. Run in material on same line

15. L.c. Lower case word

16. Caps. Capital letter

17. Sm. Small letter

18. Bold Boldface type

19. Italic type

20. Normal Roman type

21. wf. Wrong font

22. # Insert space

28. Close up

29. Period

30. ^, Comma

32. y’ Apostrophe

33. /- Hyphen

34. ‘/’ Parentheses

35. [ ] Brackets

36. ? Question marks

Duties of a proofreader

(i) The proofreader has no right to change the content. But if he does not find any sentence correct, he can mark the sign of interrogation (?) on it and can return it to the writer.

(ii) He has to see whether the matter is as per the provisions of Press Act.

(iii) In the case of any defamation or slander contained in the matter, he must bring it to the notice of editor or manager.

(iv) He is responsible for making the matter error free.

(v) He is to see the serial of page, folio, headings etc.