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2010 PhiladelphiaConference Overview
What Am I Going to Cover?What is ACES? Why a conference?
What Am I Going to Cover?What is ACES? Why a conference?
Copy editors are passionate about words.
What Am I Going to Cover?What is ACES? Why a conference?
Copy editors are passionate about words.
Spell-checker catches everything, right?
What Am I Going to Cover?What is ACES? Why a conference?
Copy editors are passionate about words.
Spell-checker catches everything, right?
Math is hard.
What Am I Going to Cover?What is ACES? Why a conference?
Copy editors are passionate about words.
Spell-checker catches everything, right?
Math is hard.
Happy copy editors love you.
What Am I Going to Cover?What is ACES? Why a conference?
Copy editors are passionate about words.
Spell-checker catches everything, right?
Math is hard.
Happy copy editors love you.
Proofreading fun
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
Offers a chance to gather and share ideas
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
Offers a chance to gather and share ideas
Get clarification on grammar questions
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
Offers a chance to gather and share ideas
Get clarification on grammar questions
Help students looking to be copy editors
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
Offers a chance to gather and share ideas
Get clarification on grammar questions
Help students looking to be copy editors
Sharpen critical thinking skills
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
Offers a chance to gather and share ideas
Get clarification on grammar questions
Help students looking to be copy editors
Sharpen critical thinking skills
Spend downtime with people who think like us
What Is ACES?Why a Conference?
Offers a chance to gather and share ideas
Get clarification on grammar questions
Help students looking to be copy editors
Sharpen critical thinking skills
Spend downtime with people who think like us
Come away refreshed and confident
What Do 300+ Copy Editors Together Talk About?
Meet the Rock Stars
Meet the Rock Stars
Ben Zimmer
Meet the Rock Stars
Ben Zimmer
John McIntyre
Meet the Rock Stars
Ben Zimmer
John McIntyre
Merrill Perlman
Meet the Rock Stars
Ben Zimmer
John McIntyre
Merrill Perlman
Bill Walsh
Effect Change
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Major changes in 2010 Stylebook
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Major changes in 2010 Stylebook
Bogota, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Kabul, and Oslo are no longer standalone datelines.
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Major changes in 2010 Stylebook
Bogota, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Kabul, and Oslo are no longer standalone datelines.
Mic wins over mike.
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Major changes in 2010 Stylebook
Bogota, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Kabul, and Oslo are no longer standalone datelines.
Mic wins over mike.
Social media
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Major changes in 2010 Stylebook
Bogota, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Kabul, and Oslo are no longer standalone datelines.
Mic wins over mike.
Social media
Expanded pronunciation guide
Effect ChangeAP Stylebook editors cave under pressure.
Major changes in 2010 Stylebook
Bogota, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Kabul, and Oslo are no longer standalone datelines.
Mic wins over mike.
Social media
Expanded pronunciation guide
Web site --> website (Copy editors were all a-Twitter!)
What Else Did We Do?Refresher on nuts and bolts of copyediting
Sessions about other industries for copy editors
Keynote speaker
Scholarships/professional awards
Networking
What Do Copy Editors Do?
Getting Grammatical
Getting Grammatical
Lay vs. lie
Getting GrammaticalLay vs. lie
Lay = “to place or put down”; always has an object (lay, laid, is laying, has laid)
Getting Grammatical
Lay vs. lie
Lay = “to place or put down”; always has an object (lay, laid, is laying, has laid)
Lie = “to recline” or “to be somewhere”; never has an object (lie, lay, is laying, has lain)
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Rich had [laid, lain] his new spats on the chair.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Rich had [laid, lain] his new spats on the chair.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Rich had [laid, lain] his new spats on the chair.
Rich’s suspenders were [lying, laying] under his shirts; that’s where Mary had [laid, lain] them.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Rich had [laid, lain] his new spats on the chair.
Rich’s suspenders were [lying, laying] under his shirts; that’s where Mary had [laid, lain] them.
Getting GrammaticalRich [lay, laid] his fedora on the desk.
Mary noticed the kumquat [lying, laying] among the rutabagas.
Holden wanted to [lie, lay] on the beach all day, but Mary knew he’d [laid, lain] there too long.
Rich had [laid, lain] his new spats on the chair.
Rich’s suspenders were [lying, laying] under his shirts; that’s where Mary had [laid, lain] them.
Getting GrammaticalThat vs. which
Getting GrammaticalThat vs. which
That = restrictive; deleting it would change the sentence meaning
Getting GrammaticalThat vs. which
That = restrictive; deleting it would change the sentence meaning
Which = nonrestrictive; deleting it would not change the sentence meaning
Getting GrammaticalThat vs. which
That = restrictive; deleting it would change the sentence meaning
Which = nonrestrictive; deleting it would not change the sentence meaning
Remember: “If you’re going ‘which’ hunting, bring a comma.”
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
The Star [that, which] is available online can also be purchased in a vending machine.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
The Star [that, which] is available online can also be purchased in a vending machine.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
The Star [that, which] is available online can also be purchased in a vending machine.
The Peek-a-Boo [that, which] is Rich’s favorite is one of the lounges [that, which] the police raided.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
The Star [that, which] is available online can also be purchased in a vending machine.
The Peek-a-Boo [that, which] is Rich’s favorite is one of the lounges [that, which] the police raided.
Getting GrammaticalThe Holdens’ house [that, which] has tangerine shutters is where Rich grew up.
Holden’s watch is the only one [that, which] is set correctly.
The Star is one of the publications [that, which] are available online and on paper.
The Star [that, which] is available online can also be purchased in a vending machine.
The Peek-a-Boo [that, which] is Rich’s favorite is one of the lounges [that, which] the police raided.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
[Its, It’s] a blessing that [its, it’s] Mary [whose, who’s] been told [to, too, two] take charge at the Peek-a-Boo.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
[Its, It’s] a blessing that [its, it’s] Mary [whose, who’s] been told [to, too, two] take charge at the Peek-a-Boo.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
[Its, It’s] a blessing that [its, it’s] Mary [whose, who’s] been told [to, too, two] take charge at the Peek-a-Boo.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
[Its, It’s] a blessing that [its, it’s] Mary [whose, who’s] been told [to, too, two] take charge at the Peek-a-Boo.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
[Its, It’s] a blessing that [its, it’s] Mary [whose, who’s] been told [to, too, two] take charge at the Peek-a-Boo.
After the exercise, [its, it’s] customary for the director to buy [its, it’s] participants many drinks at the Peek-a-Boo.
Getting GrammaticalPossessives and contractions
[Your, You’re] new coat will not please Rich. [Its, It’s] not as colorful as his kumquat blazer with [its, it’s] puce buttons.
Getting GrammaticalWho vs. whom
Getting GrammaticalWho vs. whom
Who = subject; does something
Getting GrammaticalWho vs. whom
Who = subject; does something
Whom = object; something is done to it (or: at, by, for, from, in, toward, etc.)
Getting GrammaticalWho vs. whom
Who = subject; does something
Whom = object; something is done to it (or: at, by, for, from, in, toward, etc.)
Remember: Who does something to whom.
Getting GrammaticalWho vs. whom
Who = subject; does something
Whom = object; something is done to it (or: at, by, for, from, in, toward, etc.)
Remember: Who does something to whom.
[Who, Whom] you gonna call?
Getting GrammaticalWho vs. whom
Who = subject; does something
Whom = object; something is done to it (or: at, by, for, from, in, toward, etc.)
Remember: Who does something to whom.
[Who, Whom] you gonna call?
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
It was Rich [who, whom] Festus hoped to meet at the Peek-a-Boo Lounge, not Augustus, [who, whom] finally left yesterday.
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
It was Rich [who, whom] Festus hoped to meet at the Peek-a-Boo Lounge, not Augustus, [who, whom] finally left yesterday.
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
It was Rich [who, whom] Festus hoped to meet at the Peek-a-Boo Lounge, not Augustus, [who, whom] finally left yesterday.
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
It was Rich [who, whom] Festus hoped to meet at the Peek-a-Boo Lounge, not Augustus, [who, whom] finally left yesterday.
[Who, Whom] would you call to fix Holden’s electric tie-straightener? Should it be Adelaide, [who, whom] everybody recommended?
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
It was Rich [who, whom] Festus hoped to meet at the Peek-a-Boo Lounge, not Augustus, [who, whom] finally left yesterday.
[Who, Whom] would you call to fix Holden’s electric tie-straightener? Should it be Adelaide, [who, whom] everybody recommended?
Getting GrammaticalTo [who, whom] does the left-handed pen belong?
The president, [who, whom] didn’t recognize Rich, still shook his hand.
It was Rich [who, whom] Festus hoped to meet at the Peek-a-Boo Lounge, not Augustus, [who, whom] finally left yesterday.
[Who, Whom] would you call to fix Holden’s electric tie-straightener? Should it be Adelaide, [who, whom] everybody recommended?
Getting GrammaticalDangling modifiers
Getting GrammaticalDangling modifiers
A word or phrase that modifies the incorrect thing
Getting GrammaticalDangling modifiers
A word or phrase that modifies the incorrect thing
A miniature poodle preceded a woman on a leash.
Getting GrammaticalDangling modifiers
A word or phrase that modifies the incorrect thing
A miniature poodle preceded a woman on a leash.
Anyone buying liquor under 21 years old will be prosecuted.
Getting GrammaticalWhile having a drink at the Peek-a-Boo, Rich’s sedan was stolen.
Getting GrammaticalWhile having a drink at the Peek-a-Boo, Rich’s sedan was stolen.
Flying low over Oshkosh, the stadium came into view.
Getting GrammaticalWhile having a drink at the Peek-a-Boo, Rich’s sedan was stolen.
Flying low over Oshkosh, the stadium came into view.
As writing instruments, Mr. Holden’s early colleagues used quills.
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
The Smithsonian Institution announced plans to build its 10th and final showplace museum on the Mall, a $110 structure of cliff-like Kasota limestone that will be called the National Museum of the American Indian. It will be dedicated to the story of more than 1,000 Native American communities in the Western Hemisphere.
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
High start-up costs and less funding available for marketing have caused a drop in the number of independent gasoline stations in the United States. A recent survey by the Independent Gasoline Dealers Association showed that the number of such owner-operated stations has fallen from 210,000 in 2002 to an estimated 166,573 today.
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
According to a report released in April 2004 by the Congressional Research Service, the average price for gasoline in the United States during the summer of 2003 was $1.74 per gallon. Today, gasoline prices across the United States are around 3.5 times higher, averaging more than $4 per gallon.
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
“But this was our land before the white men pushed them back here,” he added. The Crow were granted the area by treaty in 1851, but the size of their land has shrunk from 38.8 million acres to only 2.5 million acres today.
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
The mile-high glaciers that cover most of Greenland are melting so fast that one of them, Jakobshavn Isbrae, has more than doubled in speed, moving at a rate of 7.8 miles an hour from 3.5 miles an hour only a year before.
Afraid of Math?Take a Number
In case you missed it, go ahead and mark your calendar 1,000 years from now for the next Consecutive Numbers Day. In the wee hours this morning, at precisely two minutes and three seconds past 1 a.m., the time and date appeared in perfect order as: 01:02:03 04/05/06. It won’t happen again until 01:02:03 a.m. on April 5, 3006.
Keeping Copy Editors Happy
Because you won’t like us when we’re angry ...
Keeping Copy Editors Happy
Keeping Copy Editors Happy
Run spell-checker.
Keeping Copy Editors Happy
Run spell-checker.
Check the math.
Keeping Copy Editors HappyRun spell-checker.
Check the math.
Be aware of common grammatical errors.
Keeping Copy Editors HappyRun spell-checker.
Check the math.
Be aware of common grammatical errors.
Get a copy of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, and the Weekly Reader Style Guide.
Keeping Copy Editors HappyRun spell-checker.
Check the math.
Be aware of common grammatical errors.
Get a copy of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, and the Weekly Reader Style Guide.
Stick to deadlines.
Be a Better ProofreaderGive every aspect a closer look, including:
Design
White space
Spelling
Punctuation
Other nitpicky details: Does this work? Is it all right?
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
Watch for common grammatical mistakes.
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
Watch for those feisty apostrophes.
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
Watch for major errors.
Cross-check photos with text.
This looks OK, right?
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
What’s wrong with this photo?
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
What’s wrong with this photo?
Lady Liberty carries her torch in her right hand.
Be a Better Proofreader
Blooper Alert!
Can you spot the error?The American Copy Editors Society recently held its 14th annual conference. This year, the esteemed group of word nerds met in Philadelphia.
Most, if not all, people enjoyed attending the sessions, even through some of the speakers were a bit dry. They are looking forward to ACES 2011, which will be in Phoenix.
Be a Better Proofreader
Blooper Alert!
Can you spot the error?
Check the spell-checker. It doesn’t catch everything.
Reading aloud will slow you down and help you check for flow.
The American Copy Editors Society recently held its 14th annual conference. This year, the esteemed group of word nerds met in Philadelphia.
Most, if not all, people enjoyed attending the sessions, even through some of the speakers were a bit dry. They are looking forward to ACES 2011, which will be in Phoenix.
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
Don’t assume everyone gets the joke.
Be sure the references are clear enough before using the pun.
Be a Better ProofreaderBlooper Alert!
Make sure the text makes sense.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Check everything.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Check everything.
Double-check Word’s spell-checker.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Check everything.
Double-check Word’s spell-checker.
Find a reliable backup proofreader.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Check everything.
Double-check Word’s spell-checker.
Find a reliable backup proofreader.
Read slowly. Out loud. Backward.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Check everything.
Double-check Word’s spell-checker.
Find a reliable backup proofreader.
Read slowly. Out loud. Backward.
In doubt? Find an in-house expert.
Be a Better ProofreaderLessons
Be skeptical.
Check everything.
Double-check Word’s spell-checker.
Find a reliable backup proofreader.
Read slowly. Out loud. Backward.
In doubt? Find an in-house expert.
Know your weaknesses.
Just for Fun
Questions?Comments?