1. Copyediting
Notes from Ch 7 and Ch 8

2. Goals for Copy Editing Correctness Consistency Accuracy Completeness
Chapter 7 focuses on accuracy and completeness

3. Correctness
“conforms to the standards … of the language in which it is published” (108)
“Errors in language use are more apparent to readers than are errors of argument and organization” (108)
“Errors distract readers from the content” and interfere w/ the document’s effectiveness (108)

4. Consistency Document Basic standards of consistency listed on page 108
Avoids arbitrary and confusing shifts in terminology, spelling, numbers, and abbreviations
Uses predictable visual features such as placement of elements on the screen or page
Basic standards of consistency listed on page 108

5. Accuracy
What is the difference between accuracy and correctness?

6. Accuracy Incorrect content damages the document’s credibility
Confuses readers
Invites possible legal entanglements
Endangers users (in extreme cases)

7. Accuracy Check for accuracy in elements such as the following (109):
Quantitative data
Words
Illustrations
Organizational information

8. Accuracy Check simple calculations Be alert to possible errors
If errors are detected, check other calculations
Query writer to determine the source of the error.
Be alert to possible errors
Check for inconsistencies (dyadic vs. dynamic)
Query writer

9. Accuracy Avoid introducing error Check context for meaning
Frequent queries annoy writers
Use specific evidence from the text to support queries (109)
Spot facts that contradict logic
For example, photographic process in 1796 (109)

10. Accuracy
Catching one error should alert you to other errors in similar instances (110)
Attending to a suspicion of error may lead to more accurate copy (110)

11. Completeness
A complete document contains all its verbal and visual parts as well as the necessary front matter and back matter. (110)

12. Completeness Check for all parts Index missing? Blank pages?
All pages included?
Pages in order?

13. Completeness
Preliminary elements
Body elements
Back matter

14. Copy Editing Illustrations
Correctness and Consistency
Accuracy
Completeness
Readability

15. Parts of Illustrations
Labels
Numbers
Titles
Callouts

16. Parts of Illustrations
Column/Row
Headings
Legends
Captions
Footnotes

17. Figure 2.4 EPA National Priorities List
from

18. Steps in Copyediting Read document more than once Be methodical
Read with an agenda ( )

19. Consistency
Same elements are treated the same uniformly throughout the document (124)
Headings
Illustrations/graphs
Type (size, font)
Hyphenation
Spelling

20. Consistency
Verbal
Visual

21. Verbal Consistency Definition: Clarifies meaning
“meanings and arrangements of words” (125)
Clarifies meaning
Types of Document Consistency ( )

22. Visual Consistency Definition: Role of copyeditor:
“anything a reader can see on the page or screen, including typography, spacing, and illustrations” (127)
Role of copyeditor:
To ensure consistent placement of visual elements

23. Consistency Mechanics (128-130) Structural (130) Content (130-131)
Foolish (131)

24. Style Manuals Definition: Save time
“establish conventions accepted in various disciplines or organizations” (132)
Save time
Ensure consistency among corporate documents

25. Style Manuals Comprehensive (132) International (132)
Chicago
Oxford Guide to Style
International (132)
Interinstitutional
The Canadian Style
Discipline Specific ( )
APA
MLA
CBE

26. Style Sheet Definition: Records editorial choices
Includes choices about punctuation, abbreviations, spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, and other matters of consistency (136)
Records editorial choices

27. Copyediting Must ensure the following elements: Correctness
Consistency
Accuracy
Completeness