Writing and EditingV. S. Sasibhooshanan Nair,
Reader,Department of Mass Communication,University of Calicut
Writing Building blocks of language
Words The word“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is
the difference between lightning and the lightning bug”
- Mark Twain
Sentences Syntax
Subject-Verb-Object Subject-Verb agreement
Agree or disagree? Neither the student nor the teachers is/are going to the conference Neither the teachers nor the student is/are going to the conference Neither of the students is/are going to the conference None of the students who have/has attended the workshop is/are
graduating Seven years is/are a long time for anyone to graduate from the college The number of students who are graduating is/are less than last year A number of students who is/are graduating has/have found jobs The media is/are important in our society Some of the group is/are going to the performance The couple was/were living in separate apartments and sharing custody of
its/their child
Agree or disagree? Neither the student nor the teachers are going to the conference Neither the teachers nor the student is going to the conference Neither of the students is going to the conference None of the students who have attended the workshop is graduating Seven years is a long time for anyone to graduate from the college The number of students who are graduating is less than last year A number of students who are graduating have found jobs The media are important in our society Some of the group are going to the performance The couple were living in separate apartments and sharing custody of their
child
Writing (contd.) Sentences (contd.)
Dangling construction Usage of ‘It’
Example: The hub and the computer are connected. It receives the packet and directs it.
Writing (contd.) Sentences (contd.)
Brevity Short sentences Active voice Subject
First person, second person, third person
Writing (contd.) Paragraph
One idea Developing the idea Transition
Writing (contd.) Five Ws and the one H
Accuracy of content Ways to promote accuracy
Read the copy more than once Read the copy backward Look for inconsistencies Make written checklists Do the arithmetic Keep the reference sources handy
Writing (contd.) Five Ws and one H (contd.)
Tendency to say too much Why When
Linking and transition Logical flow
Writing (contd.) Topic headings
Gerund Why not regular noun?
Headings with verb Label heads
Editing Why edit?
Validation/verification Reorganize/Restructure
Combine Ensure logical flow
Improve language Correct Proofread
Bring consistency Style issues Format communicates but...
Editing (contd.) Proverbs of proofreading
Love is nearsighted Familiarity breeds content If it’s as plain as the nose on your face,
everybody can see it but you Mistakery loves company When you change horses midstream, you can
get wet
Editing (contd.) Proverbs of proofreading (contd.)
Glass houses invite stones The footbone conneckit to the kneebone? It takes two to boogie Every yoohoo deserves a yoohoo back Numbers can speak louder than words Two plus two is twenty-two
[Courtesy: IEEE PCS Newsletter Jan-Feb 1995]
Writers and Editors Relationship
Questioning the writing, not the writer
Understanding the writer’s perspective
Content not contempt Attitude
Constructive criticism Being open and receptive