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