Proofreading Symbols and Editing Symbols in Journalism

Proofreading Symbols: Editing Symbols in Journalism. What is Proofreading? Difference Between Proofreading and Editing. Proofreading Steps, Tips & Process. Do’s and Don’ts of Proofreading.

Proofreading Symbols

Proofreading symbols are the marks that a proofreader makes on a paper when they edit it. They are a coded set of instructions that point out where mistakes have been made and how a piece of writing can be improved.

Proofreading, or 'copy checking,' originally referred to newspapers, where an editor would take typeset paper and check the text for errors against an original manuscript. These days, even in newspapers and magazines, which often have their sub-editors proof on-screen, it's all done digitally.

Proofreading is a surface-level check and final check on a document. A proofreader will look for misspellings, incorrect/missed punctuation, inconsistencies (textual and numerical), etc. On the other hand, editing corrects issues at the core of writing like sentence construction and language clarity. Although editing will help improve the readability, transparency, and tone of the text. An editor will scrutinize and polish your writing for a smooth narration.

Proofreading Steps
Proofreading Steps and Process

The steps of proofreading refer to a set of instructions that proofreaders need to follow thoroughly. The proofreading steps are essential to check the errors of an original manuscript.

Don’t Rely On Spelling and Grammar Checkers.

Spell checkers are great as the first port of call and will be helpful in assisting you to identify high-level errors. However, automated spelling and grammar checkers are severely inadequate, and they cannot identify many common grammatical errors. Furthermore, they often make serious mistakes that can mislead even the most diligent writer.

Proofread For One Error at a Time

Proofreading really is a meticulous and time-consuming process, but the more you put into it, the more you get out. If you attempt to identify and correct all errors within one sitting, you risk losing focus, and you may find that you miss significant mistakes. Sometimes it’s helpful to check for spelling mistakes and punctuation errors separately. This will make it easier to spot issues, and you can vary the proofreading technique you use on each pass to suit the type of mistakes you are searching for.

Read Each Word Slowly

One technique that the majority of professional proofreaders use is to read the writing they are proofreading out loud. This forces you to voice every single word and involves your auditory senses in the process, meaning that you can hear how the text actually sounds when it is read. Trying to read something quickly forces your brain to skip some words and make unconscious corrections.

Break the Text Into Manageable Chunks

Breaking the text into separate sections provides you with more manageable tasks. Read each section carefully, and then take a break before you progress to the next. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead and allow you to concentrate more effectively on the writing section you are proofreading. This technique is especially useful if you are proofreading a very large document, such as a thesis or dissertation.

Circle Punctuation Marks

This method may seem over the top, but it is one of the most effective methods out there for spotting punctuation mistakes. By circling every single punctuation mark, you force yourself to look at each one in turn and question if it has been used correctly.

Read the Writing Backwards

This proofreading method helps identify spelling mistakes because it forces you to concentrate on each word in isolation. Start with the last word in your text and follow each one separately until you reach the beginning of the document. While doing this, you are not interested in punctuation and grammar; you focus entirely on how the words have been spelled. Many proofreaders also recommend reading papers backward, sentence by sentence.

Note the Errors You Make Frequently

Proofreading writing regularly can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and understand where you make mistakes. If you are aware of the common errors you make, you can learn to look for them during the writing process itself and will learn to avoid them altogether over time. Keep style guides and grammar rules to hand as you proofread, and look up any areas you are uncertain about. Over time you will develop your knowledge, and your writing skills will improve.

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the reading of a galley proof or an electronic copy of a publication to find and correct production errors of text or art. Proofreading is the final step in the editorial cycle.

Difference Between Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading and editing are almost similar, but they are very different parts of any publishing process. They also ought to be very different parts of the draft writing process. Proofreading should be done at the end of the writing process, as the final writing stage before the draft is ready.

Editing must be done earlier to perfect the document in advance. Editing deals with basic language usage and communication. Editors will look at word choice, whether or not a document uses too much passive voice. They also check whether or not they have used too many words in general. Editing is concerned with improving the writing content in a way that relates to the text quality, not just its presentation.

The Purpose of Proofreading Symbols

1. For better or worse, people tend to dismiss the value of almost any piece of writing based on a few spelling errors or other minor surface language errors.
2. It is also essential to proofread because poorly checked writing would be harder to read. Well-read people are going to learn by word recognition.

The Process of Proofreading a Paper

First, you will need to take note of all the errors you should fix. Otherwise, you might end up proofreading for spelling errors but not for punctuation errors. Start picking every sentence apart once you have familiarized yourself with everything you should do during the proofreading process. Look for the potential surface language errors that might be there. While reading
each sentence, check the spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors as well as typing mistakes.

When the paper or piece of writing is proofread the first time, read through it a second time. Just use the same proofreading process. People who have missed a few errors should manage to find them during the second reading. Depending upon the nature of the situation and the importance of the writing, it might be a good idea to do a third reading.

Proofreading & Editing Symbols in Journalism
Proofreading Symbols: Editing Symbols in Journalism
Editing & Proofreading Symbols in Journalism
Proofreading Tips

Tip 1. It is important not to rely on spell-checkers entirely. Some of them might misdiagnose words as misspelled due to the dictionary’s limitations. Some of them might not pick up on misused words.

Tip 2. Certain words are more likely to be mistyped than others based on the position of the letters on the keyboard. For instance, the word ‘the’ is often typed in as "teh" for the people who are quickly typing. It would help if you remembered which words these are to scrutinize them more carefully when writing.

Tip 3. People who are prone to misspell certain words should keep in mind which words these are. You might want to avoid using them altogether. Otherwise, just keep your eyes on these words.

Tip 4. Getting a rhythm going is an essential part of proofreading. And it is not the most exciting writing task that is out there. People who try to view the task mechanically will be that much more likely to get through it.

Do’s and Don’ts of Proofreading

• Do repeat the proofreading process more than once.
Don’t proofread during the writing and editing process.
• Do look for grammatical errors, typing errors, spelling errors, and punctuation errors.
Don’t proofread only certain sections of the document to the exclusion of others.
• Do pay attention to words that are frequently mistyped, misspelled, or misused.
Don’t spend too much time on the proofreading process.

How To Write a TV Program Proposal Sample

TV Program Proposal Sample, How To Write a TV Program Proposal. TV Program Proposal: How To Write a Proposal For Television Program. The Full instruction for Writing a TV Proposal For Al-Hijrah Malaysian Television.

TV Program Proposal

The TV program proposal means a written complete description of a TV show that describes the entire program procedure. The proposal must include the program name, estimated budget, description, execution procedure, target audience segmentation, uniqueness, and program justification. A  TV program proposal outlines the Television show thoroughly so that media authority identifies the output and future of the program. The TV program proposal is like a business proposal that describes the show before broadcasting on the channel.

TV Program Proposal Sample, How To Write a TV Program Proposal. TV Program Proposal: How To Write a Proposal For Television Program.

Elements of a TV Program Proposal

The 9 Elements of a TV Program Proposal are:

  1. Name of Program
  2. Description of Program
  3. Target audience
  4. The budget of the program
  5. Justification
  6. Execution of the Program
  7. The team
  8. The uniqueness of the program
  9. The strengths of the program
Instruction of Writing TV Program Proposal
Instruction to write a proposal for the Al-Hijrah TV program
1. You are to form a group of five or six members to work on this assignment. Form a media company and organize your company structure.
2. Your company has been invited to submit a 10 minutes proposal to the management of TV Al-Hijrah.
3. You propose a magazine-typed (akin to a documentary but with a 15 minutes duration) program for TV al-Hijrah.
4. For the proposal, you need to include the followings:

i. Name of program.  (make sure it is attractive and catchy enough to get ratings).

ii. Description of the program. (A brief description of the program. What is the program about? What does the program focus on?)

iii. Target audience. (Who is your target audience? Why are you targeting the audience? Give statistics to support this.

iv. Justification. (Why should TV al-Hijrah produce the program? What is the uniqueness of the program? What are the advantages of the program?

v. Execution of the program. (How do you suggest the program should be produced? Come up with a running order for the program.

vi. The team. (Who are and who in your company. Include their professional CV.

vii. The best three proposed programs will be invited to present at the Al-Hijrah station.

The Sample of TV Program Proposal 

Name of Program: Discover Student Talent (DST)-2023

Description of TV Program Proposal

Discover student talent is an attractive, inclusive TV program targeted toward students studying in the top-ranked public and private universities in Malaysia. This TV program will welcome students to explore their talents and help them to become famous by adequately utilizing their cognitive knowledge. The door to participation in this program is open for all students studying in Malaysian top 10 ranked universities. These top 10 universities will be considered as per the ranking of QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). According to the QS ranking, the top 10 universities in Malaysia are:

TV Program Proposal the top 10 universities in Malaysia

So, the student of these top 10 universities can participate in the Discover student talent program by enrolling via a specific mobile application or website. When they apply for contesting the Discover student talent program, contestants will have to participate in levels 1 and level 2 to secure a position among the top 20 students. The top 20 students from every university will go to the TV station in level 3 for contesting and securing positions in the top 10. In level 4, the top ten contestants will compete for being the most talented student in the university. The top 10 contestants from the top ten universities in Malaysia compete to be the most talented student in Malaysia. It is considered that the winner will get a certificate and 10,000 ringgit as prize money, following 5,000 ringgit for the runner-up and 2000 ringgit for the second runner-up.

Execution of the TV Program Proposal

Every student needs to create an account by providing a specific university name and student id number. When their account is activated, they can participate in question-answering sessions two times a month. But, they must provide a student ID number to verify that they are studying at that university.

After getting an activated account, they face 50 easy general knowledge questionnaire in the internet system at level 1, and they have to answer those questions to get higher marks. They can participate in this session through mobile, laptop, or tab. Thus, students will get their first-level marks in the system and have to be prepared for the second level. The second level also has the same 50 questions but could be more challenging than the first level. In level 2, the contestants will sit for an exam in university in the OMR answer sheet. The university authority will all-out effort into the television company to organize the level 1 and 2 activities. All questions of the first and second levels will be in English and Malay. Students can choose their preferred language in the system.

The TV company will pick up the top 20 contestants from every university for level 3. In level 3, the top 20 contestants will come to the TV station stage to compete to secure a position among the top 10 students in the university. After that, the top 10 students of the university will compete to be the most talented student in the university.

Grand final

Level 5 is considered the final level of the program for discovering the most talented student in Malaysia. Therefore, in this stage, each university's top 10 talented students will compete to be the most talented student in Malaysia.

TV Program Proposal Sample: How To Write a TV Program Proposal. TV Program Proposal: How To Write a Proposal For Television Program. The Full instruction of Writing TV Proposal For Al-Hijrah Malaysian Television.

Questions Patterns Set For the TV Program

  1. General Knowledge
  2. Books and Authors
  3. Famous Personalities
  4. Geography
  5. History
  6. Science and Inventions
  7. Movies
  8. Politics
  9. Religious
  10. Sports
Full Process at a glance
  1. Create an account and log in.
  2. Choose university name, and provide student ID number for account activation.
  3. Level-1 (50 Questions).
  4. Level-2 (50 Questions).
  5. Level-3: Location at Alhijrah, and a total of 20 top-scored students from every university will compete to secure a position within the top 10. (Transportation, Beverage, and 100 Ringgit for the participant).
  6. Level-4: Location at Alhijrah and the top 10 students from every university will compete to become the most talented student of the university. (Transportation, Beverages, and 200 Ringgit for the participant).
  7. Level-5: Location at Alhijrah, and the top 10 students from 10 universities will compete to become the most talented student in Malaysia. .(Transportation, Beverage, and 500 Ringgit for the participant).
  8. Total Price –20,000 Ringgit, Winner will get 10000 Rm, Runner up 5000 Rm, and the second Runner up 2000 Rm).
Additional events for audiences

The TV channel authority will organize two additional events for audiences. First of all, the audiences who will participate in the program physically can get prizes by answering questions on the stage. These audiences are those who sit in front of the main competition stage to watch live programs. In addition, the audiences who watch this program through TV channels can win prizes by answering questions through mobile. Audiences differ from active and passive media audiences.

Target Audiences of the TV Program

Demographic, geographic, and psychographic segmentation is the most powerful audience segmentation technique. For this program, demographic segmentation is the most relevant strategy to the target audience, and audiences can be youth, adults, and senior people. Their ages may be between 15 and 65 years old. The prime target audiences of this Discover talent student program are students. Students are the main components of running this program because they will participate. Also, it will be an interactive program, viewers in front of the TV can also answer questions, and when the audience can answer the questions successfully, they will feel delighted. The contestants and audiences face various topics, such as general knowledge, common sense, literature, history, astronomy, geography, sports, and entertainment. So, audiences can also increase their knowledge through our questions answering session; simultaneously, they can win prizes.

Youth

The motive for choosing youth as the target audience is because they have already received a part of the education and have a specific knowledge background. And our program can be a competition; youth could set up a team to answer questions together to determine how many questions can be answered. In this way, they expand their knowledge and enhance friends' relationships.

Adult

Furthermore, there are two aspects which are unemployed people and workers. Unemployed people have a lot of time can watch TV or videos, and they can learn something from our program. Our problems are so wide that they can learn something from them and benefit them in the future. Besides that, the workers didn’t have more free time to watch our program to relax. When they are tired, they can watch our program. If they can answer the questions correctly, they feel happy.

Senior people

Maybe not many o people watch our show, but we hope to have more older people to watch. Because they can learn and educate their grandchildren.

Justifications

The reason why TV al-Hijrah should produce this program has been discussed here. There are two major reasons for producing this program. Firstly, there's something unique about producing a program based on students and centering universities in Malaysia. So, It's a whole new format. Secondly, because the nature of the show is not just entertainment, some common sense questions make the show educational. On the other hand, the program has a wide range of audiences because of its educational significance.

The uniqueness of the program

Firstly, The nature of this show is unique in Malaysia because Malaysian TV programs are mostly about travel, food reality shows, and music-related selection programs. People's conformity, snooping, and curiosity all affect people's attention to TV programs. Therefore, the new format surely attracts some viewers. On the other hand, previous reality shows were mostly celebrities, but participants in this program were students from the top 10 universities in Malaysia. This kind of guest on the TV program makes the show more attractive. Finally, we intend to give some students who have talent but have not yet been able to shine.

Advantages of the programs

Firstly, compared with the variety of entertainment programs, this program has educational meaning. This program can also attract primary and middle school, and college students interested in exercising their knowledge through competition. Secondly, the program can also raise social awareness among general people to focus on learning and participants obtain confidence. Finally, this program can increase the popularity of the TV channel by increasing ratings.

In conclusion, the tv program proposal is crucial to explain the show's benefits. It convinces the authority to telecast the show.

TV Program Proposal Sample PDF- Download Link