The Importance of Clarity
"The New York Daily Graphic published the first photochemical (chemical effects caused by exposure to light) rendition of a photograph in a newspaper."
"The New York Daily Graphic published the first photochemical (chemical effects caused by exposure to light) rendition of a photograph in a newspaper."
When providing information, it is important to clarify meanings for possibly-unknown words. Not all readers may be familiar with "photochemical," so it made sense for the writer to explain its definition. However, the description was in passive voice, so I rephrased it. To clarify my intentions, I explained why I rephrased the edit, but to ensure that the writer's voice and intention were still present, I invited feedback on my phrasing. Editing is meant not only to correct and adjust the content but also to teach the creator. It's important for me that writers understand why their mistakes are mistakes, and I also want to ensure that my edits are clear and don't take away from their work.
"According to Jeremy Norman’s History of Information"
"According to Jeremy Norman’s History of Information"
It's my job as an editor to think of questions that readers may have because if I'm unsure of something, readers may also be. For example, the writer mentioned a publication that I hadn't heard of and hyperlinked it within the piece so readers could visit it. I wanted to make sure that readers could actually access the link, so I asked about it. Oftentimes, editors feel like we have to be all-knowing beings, but part of editing is asking questions to establish clarity. I wasn't sure if the source was a publication, so I asked to make sure. It is imperative that editors acknowledge their lack of knowledge and fill in those information gaps when necessary because it'll not only improve the reader's experience later on but also make sure that edits are done with the correct information in mind.
"The black table cloth read, “The Collective” in big white letters and is adorned by the outline of a guitar neck. The founding banner still represents The Collective table in 2021. "
"The black table cloth read, “The Collective” in big white letters and is adorned by the outline of a guitar neck. The founding banner still represents The Collective table in 2021. "
-Veronica Longoria, Former Writer on The Muse
Leads are important because they draw the reader in, so the reader can feel immersed in the article. Before I edited, the writer switched tenses throughout the lead. I understood the lead was supposed to go across a period of time, but the way it was done previously could have confused the reader. In order to entice readers, it is important to grab their attention from the first sentence in a clear manner. I used to be nervous to edit content, but explaining my edits not only provides clarity for the writer but also allows me to explain my reasoning.
Keeping it short and sweet for our readers is a big part of working on a publication, and as a copy staffer, it is important that I help the writers keep sentences brief and clear at the same time.
Using the AP Stylebook as a guide across all of our content creates a sense of uniformity, and we know this style is correct.
The structure of a publication allows people to create a final product together. Each section has a role, and staffers within those sections have roles. After working in one position, I decided to try working in a different one.
Editors have a responsibility to support and teach their staffers.
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