Make Your New Year's Resolution to Hire a Copy Editor!

I wish everyone a very Happy 2011. And for all of you out there who feel that the state of your written materials last year might just be what cost you that job, got you all those C's on your school papers, or caused the main customer comment left for your business to be "You misspelled ____" or "You use too many commas," make a resolution this year to always have your copy editor check your work. 


Happy 2011 to everyone!
Laura

English Grammar Rules That Could Have Used Copy Editing!

Hi everyone. Long time, no post. I apologize for that. I have been swamped! But I wanted to post some pics I have taken over the last month. These pictures are errors made by people that should have known better - or hired a copy editor!! Enjoy!

No comment really...other than maybe WHY would anyone name a gas station "Three way"? PLEASE consult your copy editor next time.

This one isn't so much funny as it is sad. CITY business should always be copy edited before "Every day" becomes an everyday thing..

I enlarged this picture so you can read it better. CNN--a leader in news reporting--really should have had their business reports copy edited before they put "gararge" on the news. Nice CNN, nice. =)

I hope you enjoy these and I will post again as soon as I slow down a bit. Until then, mind your Ps and Qs--and by all means, have your copy editor double-check your work! 

Your copy editor/proofreader,

Laura

Go Texas Rangers!!!!!

Congratulations to the Texas Rangers for their very first trip to the World Series!!! Awesome Job Guys!!!!

There's a LOT of happy people in Texas right now. =)

Your Copy Editor (and Ranger fan)

Laura

Your Copy Editor Wants You to Ask Yourself, "Is This Necessary?"

TGIF!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful week! I know this week has definitely been a great one for me. I actually took a few days off to spend playing with my kids—ALWAYS time well-spent. 

I am working on compiling a list of style guide comparisons in between teaching and copy editing. Until I get the list compiled though, let me give you another comma point to ponder. =)

First, let’s talk about the difference between a restrictive clause and a non-restrictive clause. A restrictive clause adds information to the sentence that is imperative to its meaning. In other words, if you remove the restrictive clause, it will change the meaning of the sentence.

For example:

1. The proofreaders were responsible for catching the errors that the copy editors overlooked.

If you remove “that the copy editors overlooked” from this sentence, it changes the meaning of the sentence.

Now, a non-restrictive clause is non-essential information that is added to the sentence. In other words, if you remove the non-restrictive clause, the meaning of the sentence will not be changed.

For example:

1. The unedited technical document, which was written by the engineer, was lengthy and disorganized.

Here, if you remove “which was written by the engineer” from the sentence, it does not change the meaning of the sentence. 

What does all of this have to do with commas? Glad you asked. This is a VERY common error I find when proofreading or copy editing. Restrictive clauses are never set off from the rest of the sentence by commas and they usually begin with that, who, whose, or whom. The non-restrictive clauses are always set off from the rest of the sentence by commas and they usually begin with which, who, whose, or whom.

I find that many writers confuse that and which quite often. So in your writing, ask yourself “Is this information necessary to the meaning of the sentence?” If your answer is “yes,” then you will use that without commas. If your answer is “no,” then the correct usage is which with commas separating the clause from the rest of the sentence.

And if you STILL have questions, ask your copy editor. =) Make sure you don't miss any posts, and click "Follow Laura's Proofs" at the right-hand side over there! And right now, the first person to get 15 of their friends and family to "follow" my blog will win 2 FREE hours of proofreading or copy editing! Make sure your friends e-mail me at laurasproofs@gmail.com to tell me you sent them! =)

Until tomorrow,

Mind your Ps and Qs!

Your copy editor,

Laura

P.S. I am still taking submissions for my book of unique words and phrases. I would like to have some from all corners of the globe!

Are You and Your Friends Following Laura's Proofs YET?!

Well, what's taking so long? =) 

Make sure you don't miss out on any of my updates or posts! It's uber-simple to do! Just look at the right-hand side of this page and click "Follow." That's it! I don't send you anything, no spam. Just a way to keep up with me and my editorial rants. 

Oh yeah, and there IS that little contest for 2 FREE hours of copy editing or proofreading for anybody who can get 15 of their friends and family to "follow" me as well. But make sure they send me an e-mail to laurasproofs@gmail.com to tell me you sent them! 

Good luck to everyone and good night. =)

Your copy editor, 

Laura

The Commas, etc., in Your Copy Editor's Head!

I hope everyone had a fantabulous weekend!!! Mondays tend to…well, they just suck. So we are going to have a very simple comma lesson today. YEAH!!!! And for all my English tutoring students – “simple” does not mean you don’t need to study!! ;) 

Today I am just going to talk about comma usage with the abbreviations “etc.” and “et al.”

Etc. (et cetera) means “and others of the same kind.” 

For example:

1. It takes the work of many people such as authors, copy editors, proofreaders, publishers, etc., to publish a book.

Unless it falls at the end of the sentence, you always place a comma before AND after etc. Simple, right?

Now, et al. means “and others.” It is the abbreviation for et alia (neuter), et alii (masculine), and et aliae (feminine). You should place a comma before and after et al. just as you do etc. UNLESS it is preceded by only one item.

For example:

1. K. Thomas, R. Martin, et al., contributed to editing the technical document for their boss (more than one).
2. Thomas et al. contributed to editing the technical document for their boss (only one person’s name is listed).

You should also note that neither etc. nor et al. are italicized. This is a common error I find when editing materials.

AND, that’s it!! Told you I was going to ease you into Monday. =P

Have a great week!! We’ll chat again tomorrow.

Your copy editor,

Laura

Do You Know What Your Kids Have Planned this Week?!

Today begins Teen Read Week (through the October 23)! Teen Read Week is not very well-known, so let me explain what it is and what you as writers and readers can do. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) began Teen Read Week 1998, so you can see it is still very young. During Teen Read Week, more than 5,000 librarians and educators help to encourage teenagers to put down their iPods, laptops, cell phones, and video games—if just for one week—and read a book. Libraries across the states hold special programs and events supporting teen reading. This year’s theme is “Books with Beat.”

Why do we need Teen Read Week? It’s simple: studies have proven that children and teens who read do much better in testing as well as when they join the workforce. We want the best for our children of course, so it’s important to remember that books provide a fun and free way for children to be entertained. As with most people, books allow you to escape your anxieties and fears in life. They provide a way for teens to connect with other people who share the same interests. And for teens struggling with becoming who they are in a world as chaotic as ours, books let them know they aren’t alone and that there are other people in this huge world of ours who feel the same way they do.

What can you do to help? Obviously, encourage your teenage children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, students—everyone!—to pick up a book just for fun. Not because they are required to read something for school, but because they want to. You can also purchase Teen Read Week products. Bookmarks, posters, and gifts may be purchased from ALA Graphics (the official product line) at www.alastore.ala.org. All proceeds will help support our library systems across the states!

I look forward to hearing how all of you celebrate Teen Read Week! Now, put down the computers, iPods, and cell phones, turn off the television, and go lose yourself in a good book!

Have a great week!

Your copy editor,

Laura