Editing Symbols to Know for Newswriting

Editing symbols are crucial tools in newswriting that help refine and clarify content. They guide writers in making precise changes, ensuring articles are clear, accurate, and easy to read, which is essential for effective communication in journalism.

1. Delete (^)

   • Indicates that a word or phrase should be removed from the text.
   • Helps to streamline content and improve clarity.
   • Essential for maintaining concise writing in news articles.

2. Insert (^)

   • Signals the addition of a word or phrase in the text.
   • Used to enhance meaning or provide necessary information.
   • Important for ensuring accuracy in reporting.

3. Close up (⌢)

   • Indicates that two words should be combined into one.
   • Commonly used for hyphenated terms or contractions.
   • Aids in improving readability and flow.

4. Space (#)

   • Shows that a space should be added between words or sentences.
   • Important for proper formatting and clarity.
   • Helps prevent confusion in the text.

5. New paragraph (¶)

   • Indicates the start of a new paragraph.
   • Used to separate distinct ideas or topics.
   • Enhances organization and readability of the article.

6. Transpose (tr)

   • Indicates that two words or phrases should be switched in order.
   • Useful for correcting sentence structure or improving flow.
   • Helps to clarify meaning in complex sentences.

7. Capitalize (三)

   • Signals that a letter should be changed to uppercase.
   • Important for proper nouns and the beginning of sentences.
   • Ensures adherence to grammatical rules.

8. Lowercase (=)

   • Indicates that a letter should be changed to lowercase.
   • Used for common nouns or when correcting capitalization errors.
   • Maintains consistency in text formatting.

9. Spell out (sp)

   • Indicates that an abbreviation should be written in full.
   • Important for clarity, especially for less common terms.
   • Ensures that all readers understand the content.

10. Abbreviate (abbr)

    • Signals that a term should be shortened to its abbreviation.
    • Useful for commonly known terms to save space.
    • Helps maintain a concise writing style.

11. Bold (≡)

    • Indicates that text should be made bold.
    • Used to emphasize important information or headings.
    • Enhances visual hierarchy in the article.

12. Italicize ( )

    • Signals that text should be italicized.
    • Commonly used for titles of works or to emphasize certain words.
    • Adds a stylistic element to the writing.

13. Let it stand (stet)

    • Indicates that a previously marked change should be ignored.
    • Used to revert to the original text after reconsideration.
    • Important for maintaining authorial intent.

14. Move left (←)

    • Indicates that text should be shifted one space to the left.
    • Useful for correcting alignment or formatting issues.
    • Helps maintain a clean and organized layout.

15. Move right (→)

    • Signals that text should be shifted one space to the right.
    • Used for adjusting alignment or correcting formatting.
    • Ensures proper presentation of the text.