By chunking the editorial tasks, we focus our attention and our decisions, resulting in maximum speed and efficacy.
Category: editing
“Plain Language” Editing Isn’t about Using Simple Words
Easy reading is the goal of most editors. Plain Language is a popular and respected set of principles that focus on structure as well as
Magic Eight-Ball, Is This a Proofread or a Copyedit?
When your magic eight-ball isn’t handy, follow these steps to figure out what is wanted when you’re asked to “look this over”: proofread, copyedit, line edit, or something more substantive.
Edit Faster! Triage for the Eight-minute Editor
Sometimes there just isn’t time (or budget, or even commitment) to fix everything. Here are the edits (in order) that will help them avoid embarrassment and move the piece in the direction of perfection even if it can’t go all the way.
The Art of the Author Memo
Summarize next steps for the manuscript and get the writer to do their part, with an author memo.
How to Learn Structural Editing
Reading list to develop skills in structural/developmental editing.
Do I Have to Spell It Out for You? Acronyms & Initialisms
Got acronyms? Here’s how to style them in your work, plus when to explain them and how.
Measure Elements of a PDF
For quality control, there are times a designer or proofreader needs to measure elements of a PDF. You can do this with the measurement tool
Change the Look of Marks on a PDF
Of course there are 4 ways to change the properties of almost any mark you make on a PDF. Some methods are easier to access,
Hack for a Rapid Alts Check on PDFs
Cut your time and boost your accuracy with this trick for comparing dead copy changes to live copy. Make sure all the changes were correctly