English 403
Dr. Willerton
Fall 2008
From the Real World...
A failure to proofread proves costly: search for "aggies media guide" in archives of www.lubbockonline.com
Readers as Users of Documents
See table 2.1 on p. 21; text and context are separate, yet closely related.
Elements of context:
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Origins and impact
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Readers and use(s)
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Accessibility
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Constraints on development and production
Three types of reading on the job:
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Reading to do (p. 26)
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Reading to learn
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Reading to learn to do
Documents in use
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Each reader creates his or her own meaning from a document
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Readers read selectively
Content, Signals, and Noise
Levels of Edit
The JPL's document
The types of edit occur at different levels of edit.
The types of edit:
| Type of Edit | Level | Level | Level | Level | Level |
| Coordination | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Policy | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Integrity | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Screening | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Copy Clarification | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Format | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Mechanical Style | 2 | 1 | |||
| Language | 2 | 1 | |||
| Substantive | 1 |
See Jean Weber's categories of editing (substantive, copy editing, production editing) and types of editing (rule-based, analysis-based).
Author-Editor Relationships
from Lois Johnson Rew, Editing for Writers
| Authors should | Editors should |
| 1. Follow designated style guides while writing drafts to reduce editors' burden. | 1. Know the style guide and be able to articulate the reasons for editing decisions. |
| 2. Agree with the editor on the goals of the project, expectations of the process, and roles of each participant. | 2. Agree with the editor on the goals of the project, expectations of the editing process and the level of edit desired. |
| 3. Meet deadlines and return drafts promptly. | 3. Act as the reader's representative. |
| 4. Give credit to the editor for his or her expertise. | 4. Give positive feedback, direction, and avoid changes to the author's style. |
| 5. Check all suggestions and changes made by the editor. | 5. Meet deadlines and fulfill responsibilities. |
| 6. Work with the author after the edit. |
Jean Weber: http://www.jeanweber.com/newsite/?page_id=26
Rude Ch. 3: Managing Efficiently and Communicating Well
1. Participate early.
2. Clarify your expectations.
3. Work with the writer throughout development.
4. Don't surprise the writer.
5. Be prompt.