The National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) is an annual event that brings together student journalists from all over the Philippines. It provides a platform for young writers, editors, and broadcasters to showcase their skills in various journalistic categories. One of the most challenging competitions in NSPC is Copyreading and Headline Writing. In this blog, we’ll delve into the details of this contest and explore what it takes to excel.
Copyreading (60%)
The Art of Copyreading
Copyreading is the process of meticulously reviewing a written piece to identify and correct errors. As a copyreader, your task is to ensure that the content adheres to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style guidelines. Let’s break down the key components:
Appropriate Copyreading Symbols: Copyreaders use a set of symbols to mark errors. These symbols indicate specific corrections, such as inserting or deleting words, fixing punctuation, or adjusting spacing. Familiarity with these symbols is crucial.
Recognizing Errors: A keen eye is essential. You must spot errors related to spelling, grammar, syntax, and consistency. Common mistakes include misspelled words, subject-verb agreement issues, and incorrect word usage.
Scoring Criteria
The judges evaluate your copyreading skills based on the following criteria:
- Correctly applying copyreading symbols.
- Identifying the exact number of errors in the contest piece.
Headline Writing (40%)
Crafting Attention-Grabbing Headlines
Headlines are the gateway to any news article. They need to be concise, informative, and engaging. Here’s what you need to consider:
Best Headline Selection: You’ll be given a news article, and your task is to create the most compelling headline. Think about what will grab readers’ attention and accurately represent the content.
Standards in Headline Writing: Follow established headline conventions. Headlines should be in title case, avoid unnecessary articles (like “a,” “an,” or “the”), and capture the essence of the story.
Total Score (100%)
Your total score combines both copyreading and headline writing. Remember that precision, speed, and creativity play a significant role. Good luck to all participants!