2018 NSPC

February 19-23, 2018

Dumaguete City

CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON JUDGES’ COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

Elementary

Category Weak Points Strong Points Suggestions/Recommendations

Editorial Writing (Filipino) • Editorials seem to have • Some editorials drive • Don’t make your editorial too
preaching/scolding tone; too home the point. short that will make the
short; some contestants • Some contestants have readers look for more nor
were inventing Filipino a clear grasp on the too long for them to be
words topic. bored as well.
• Some contestants have little • Correct use of Filipino • Read more Filipino/Tagalog
understanding of the topic. words are evident. editorials. It is necessary for
• Some editorials have the contestants to do more
grammatical errors. researches on the theme so
they would have a clearer
understanding on it when
they write their editorial.
They may be given a number
of topics that they can
research in advance.

Editorial Writing (English) • Some entries need to • Some entries are based • It is good to see if the
improve grammar. on actual statistics. students mention DepEd
• Organization and structure • Some entries are programs related to inclusive
• Spelling conscious that their education.
• Use of flowery words argument must be • Be direct to the point
based on facts. • Be more up to date of
• They somehow current events
persuade the readers • Read more editorials
on their objectivity • Practice more editorial
about the topic. writing
 • Presented the problem
and gave solutions.

Column Writing (Filipino) • Paliguy-ligoy at masyadong • Maraming kaalamang • Basahing mabuti ang paksa
maraming palabok ang mga naibahagi. at tumutok lamang sa
nagsulat; masyadong • Matatas sa wikang hinihingi; Maging klaro at
mahaba Filipino. diretso sa punto
• Marami ang hindi • Maganda ang istilo at • Dapat ay nagset ng “word
nakapagpaliwanag sa tema lenggwahe ng mga limit” para sa pagsulat ng
• Walang parameters na bata. kolum
sinunod tungkol sa kaibahan • “Fair” ang sistema ng
ng kolum sa editorial o sa coding (NTWG)
lathalain
Column Writing (English) • Most of the contestants • Lecture on column • The length of the column
didn’t really get the essence writing helped the should be set.
of column writing. They contestants. • Develop a main statement.
know how to write but • Most of the contestants All sentences must lead to
executing them in words fit have a good command support that statement.
for column was lacking. of English language, • Explain concepts clearly
• Title and lead ending and some have shown
statements need a very good style of
improvement writing.
• Logic and reasoning needs • Some are creative and
improvement articles are well written.
Copy Reading & Headline • Difficulty in finding the • Able to spot • Check for illogical
Writing (English) topics of the article grammatical errors information. Be mindful of
• Failed to spot redundancies • Some were able to consistency in format.
• Some data were not provide accurate • Consider that newsroom
checked headline. style as regards to layout
• Sometimes important • Timeliness and and presentations of stories
information is weeded out relevance thus context in unit count,
• Many contestants failed to • Substantial context, headline styles may no
follow instructions info used longer be relevant.
• Most of the copyreaders • The copyreaders have • Consider too, that editors no
 could hardly get the mastered the AP longer use copy editing
Headline Symbols symbols
• The copyreaders are • Strengthen more context
confused with the appreciation
arrangement/sequence of • Explore opportunity for
the article. contestant to rewrite article
• It is suggested that they will
have more readings and
information for current
issues/topics so that they
can get or write the correct
headline.
• They should know and
understand the content of
the article in general.

Copy Reading & Headline • Minsan naiiba ang ulo ng • Marami na ring • Turuan ang mag-aaral na
Writing (Filipino) balita sa actual na paksa ng nagagawa sa loob ng unawain munang mabuti
balita. limitadong panahon. kung ano ang paksa ng
• Marami ang naapektuhan • Ang mga copyreaders artikulo.
ang iskor dahil sa hindi ay magaling sa mga AP • Tiyaking sumunod sa
pagsunod sa instruksiyon. symbols. instruksiyon.
• Nalilito ang karamihan sa • Kailangang magbasa ng
mga copyreaders on the maraming isyu o paksa sa
sequence o pag-aayos ng kasalukuyan.
tamang talata. • School paper advisers at
copyreaders should practice
the sequencing at pagbibigay
ng tamang ulo sa isang
artikulo o balita.
• Kailangang magpractice ng
Upstyle at Downstyle
headline counting.
Feature Writing Students in this category do not • Contestants are with • Check and review the feature
(Filipino) address the theme and are non- great command of writing format
responsive. They write so much Filipino language.
but they seem like canned • It is evident also that
paragraph. many know how to
write well.
• Mas magaling ang
pagkakasulat ng mga
entry sa Filipino kaysa
English.
Feature Writing • Wrong format of feature • There are students with • Stick to basic terms so your
(English) writing (There is a need to good command of the readers will not be
go back and understand English language – they intimidated to read your
what feature writing is) can write. stories.
• Reading the stories/articles • “Blind” judging to avoid • Feature writing is NOT essay
though… so many bias writing. It is suggested to
highfalutin words • A good number of hold a press conference
• Some participants can’t students show where children/contestant
distinguish the difference potential. can really ask questions to a
between editorial/column • There are some entries personality which will be
writing and feature writing. that exhibited good featured.
• Even though the topic is a command of the • The participants can be
question, the writer should language. guided with the use of an
be able to develop a feature info sheet containing various
article based on that. information on the subject
• At this stage, a lot of matter. This is to guide them
participants misspelled a lot also so that their writing will
of terms (even the main not be hurried.
topic). • A recalibration of NTOT
• So many words, so little instructions is in order. Train
sense. students not to win but to
• Does not address theme write well.
• Mr Francia: “I think it is the
tone of the advisers that
 come out in the articles.”
News Writing (English) • Some of the stories/news • Most of the contestants • Develop a main statement.
articles are editorialized have a good command All sentences must lead to
because of lack of of English language, support that statement.
attribution. and some have shown Keep your focus.
• Very few came out with a very good style of • Explain concepts clearly.
fresh ideas writing. • Some criteria for judging
• Some are creative and need to be looked into.
articles are well written. Increase the
percentage/points for ethics.
• Read between the lines in
order to construct better
articles that go beyond copy-
pasting facts.
News Writing (Filipino) • Some entries did not have • Good use of language • Teach students to read
headlines. • Students can express between the lines.
• Some headlines are vague. themselves very well in • News is not just copy-pasting
• Some writers do not know Filipino. facts from a press release
which information to • Most of the writers in but constructing and
prioritize. Filipino category are presenting them in an
exemplary. orderly way.
Photojournalism (English • Setting • Captioning • Improve caption writing
& Filipino) • Scripted subjects • Good angles for some • Give them different areas
• Limited space/area photos and more time to shoot
• Weak captions, sometimes • Creative angles stood • Require students to follow
unrelated out format & file naming system
• Photos were repetitive & • The subject/topic was clearly
some obviously scripted clear & easy to
• File formats were not that interpret in photos
organized
Science and Technology • Contest piece seemed to be • Challenging and pushed • Simpler concepts
Writing (English & overwhelming to elementary the best from a number • Improve teaching of need to
Filipino) pupils • Grace under pressure write and use fact sheets for
• Lack of logical flow over • Quick understanding of science writing
 something incorrect the issue or topic • More training on how to spot
grammar in most written • Good flow and important details in fact
pieces creativity in using sheet for science writing
• The problem in the material details • Creation of a teaching
(Fact Sheet) provided: too module for science writing
many information/facts, coaches/trainers &
data are not necessary nor facilitation of workshop by
relevant anymore especially DepEd
in S & T.
• Participants had difficulty
synthesizing & determining
the relevant information and
facts.
Sports Writing (English & • Redundancy • Great use of words • Focus more on improving
Filipino) • Excessive use of hyperbole • Better technicalities in delivery
• Spelling and sentence delivering news • Make news simple but
construction • Creative style of writing complete in facts and
statistics
• Correct use of terminologies
• Better understanding of
sports
• Widen knowledge about the
sporting world
• Improve grammar
Editorial Cartooning • Double check the use of • Showing good potential • Make your art concept simple
(English & Filipino) words/labels/spelling in drawing with strong message
• Neatness • Creative • Direct to the point
• Clarity of the message • Impressive use of basic • Use appropriate symbols
materials • Keep pursuing your Art
dreams!
Collaborative Desktop • Headlines are not • Relevant editorial • Emphasize the relevance of
Publishing (English) specific/concrete and some • Consistent color palette articles to the publication
are considered inaccurate. • Aesthetically pleasing and to the readers.
• Relevance of news articles and balanced • Do not italicize entire
 is not explained. • Good use of articles.
• Sentence structure and subheadings in banner • Check facts.
grammar story • Make headlines specific.
• Good variety in sports Headlines are literal so avoid
section hyperboles.
• Avoid too much use of
background color for text.
• Make overall aesthetics
coherent.
• Stick consistently to a
color palette.
• Do not use image as
background to text.
• Do not repeat images.
• Improve sentence structure
and grammar.
Collaborative Desktop • Run-on sentences • Some headlines are • Improve variety if images.
Publishing (Filipino) • Messy cut-outs of images specific and concrete. • For some, make headlines
• Banner story lead does not • Some leads get to the specific.
connect to the headline. point and have angle. • For some, choose a specific
• Stories are not attention • Variety of topics while angle for stories and stick
grabbing. maintaining overall with a coherent aesthetic
• Wrong facts coherence style throughout the
• Good use of cartoons publication.
and info graphics • Avoid excessive use of
• Variety of topics and quotes; avoid using
diversity of news succeeding paragraphs that
stories are just quotes.
• Proofread articles for typo.
• Avoid using too many
typefaces.
• Don’t italicize unnecessarily.
Radio Script Writing • Sentence construction • Organized script flow • Understand more the
(English) • Failure to use simple • Use factual errors difference among radio, tv
sentences • Use academically & and print news
• Spelling socially acceptable • Study STV agreement
• Long news articles languages • Know the uses of conjunction
• Capitalizing first letter of • Most scripts follow and punctuations
common nouns directions • Identify angle that appears
• Hanging information • Mostly details are to your audience. The
• Needs to properly arrange straight to the point newest is the lead.
scripts
Radio Broadcasting • Delivery was too relaxed • Confidence was evident • It’s okay to talk fast but
(English) • Mumbling • Delivery of most make sure the words are still
• Some words were eaten students are flawless clear
• Not knowing when to • Impressed with how • Bed. SFX and speaker’s voice
start/stop elementary students should not compete against
• Bed was louder than delivered news each other
anchor/presenter’s voice • Most voice are strong, • Practice fading of bed
• Choose stinger well good delivery instead of abruptly ending it
• Too much slang • Proper pacing is decent • Do not rush. Start in the
head and organize thoughts
• Learn the word before going
on air “BICAMERAL”
• Watch and learn from well-
known English news cast
Radio Script Writing • Poor comprehension of the • Script formatting • Students need to read about
(Filipino) articles given • Creative delivery and current events
• Accuracy of the scripts modulation of voices • Students need to listen more
• Sentence construction to AM news
• Journalist ethics • Offer seminars for school
advisers/students on
journalistic ethics
• Encourage contestants to
practice writing and listening
news
Radio Broadcasting • More on technicality • Good voice quality • More exposure to
(Filipino) • Microphone set-up • Some are good in broadcasting
• Too loud/ uncontrolled technical application • Students need to listen to
technicalities actual radio broadcasts
• Seminars for advisers and
students
• Some were overly projecting
the voice. They should be
encouraged to find and
strengthen their own voices.