Editing workshop

Roland Nordroland.nord@mnsu.edu

Punctuation

Function “Punctuation is an essential element of

good writing because it makes the author’s meaning clear to the reader.” (“Punctuation Guide” from Oxford American College Dictionary)

“Punctuation should be governed by its function, whish is to promote ease of reading.” (CMS 6.1)

Close vs. Open punctuation

Punctuation

Function “Punctuation is used to clarify the meaning

of written or printed language. Well-planned word order requires a minimum of punctuation. The trend toward less punctuation calls for skillful phrasing to avoid ambiguity and to ensure exact interpretation.” (GPO Manual of Style 8.1)

Punctuation

Function “The general principles governing the use

of punctuation are: If it does not clarify the text it should be omitted; and, in the choice and placing of punctuation marks, the sole aim should be to bring out more clearly the author’s thought. Punctuation should aid reading and prevent misreading. (GPO Manual of Style 8.2)

Comma rules

The comma “denotes a slight pause. Effective use of the comma involves good judgment, with ease of reading the end in view.” (CMS 6.18)

Before a coordinating conjunction joining two sentences and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet (fan boys)

Comma rules

Between coordinate adjectives or between items in a series The little, old man reads dictionaries for

fun. Biff brought the bread, cheese, and wine. Buffy cleaned the kitchen, Biff finished the

laundry, and I vacuumed the living room.

Comma rules

After introductory phrases or (subordinate) clauses After watching the movie, Biff was afraid to

go to bed. Because she had spent all of her money of

fashion items, Buffy couldn’t afford to buy supper.

Comma rules

Around parenthetical or nonessential information (relative clauses, appositives, absolutes & participial phrases) Buffy, who studies at MSU, manages a number of

telemarketing companies from her home. Buffy manages a number of telemarketing

companies from her home, which is a block away from mine.

Biff, an aging baby boomer, hopes to marry Buffy, a woman half his age.

He wrote her a valentine, signing the card in red ink.

Buffy opened the valentine, her heart skipping a beat as she recognized the handwriting.

Comma rules

To set off interjections—not or not only (correlatives) The reporters heard the press secretary, not the

CEO, make the announcement. Buffy immediately drove to Biff’s house, not only

determined to shove the valentine down his throat, but also hoping to stomp on his aching heart.

but Buffy not only rang the bell but also kicked the

door. Biff decided not to open the door but to watch from

the window.

Comma rules

To set off clauses of the type the more…the more The more the reporters heard the press

secretary say, the more they doubted him. The faster he walked, the safer he felt. but The sooner the better.

Comma rules

To set off direct quotations or direct questions After a minute or so, Buffy yelled, “Open the door!” Biff replied, “Are you talking to me?” Buffy asked herself, what kind of an idiot is he? The question, how will the story end? was on

everyone’s mind. but Biff wondered whether opening the door was worth

the risk. How the story might end was the question on

everyone’s mind.

Quotation marks

To set off direct quotations

Quotation marks

To set off words or phrases that have a specific technical use or that are being used in a special manner When I said “plain,” I meant “flat land,” not

“ordinary.” (OACD) Oh yah, Buffy thought Biff was a real

‘genius.’ The instructor defined Googlewhack,

quoting extensively from the Wikipedia. Boston has six letters. There’s no I in teamwork.

Parallelism

“…requires that expressions similar in content and function be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function.” (Strunk & White, The Elements of Style, sec. 19) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is

the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall

be comforted.

Parallelism

Biff strides through the mall, moseys through the bookstore, and crawls through the buffet line.

Help readers to learn and to expand their minds.

Help readers to learn and expand their minds.

Help readers (to) learn to expand their minds.

Comparisons

Comparative degree (with noun, phrase, or a clause) Biff is older than Buffy. Buffy is the smarter of the two. Biff is younger than I thought.

Superlative degree (to single out one of more than two nouns) Buffy is the smartest person in the room. Of the four children in her family, Buffy is

the smartest.

Capitalization

When a character name involves an animal as part of the name, should both the given and animal name be capitalized? Samantha the Snake vs. Samantha the

snake White Rabbit Cheshire Cat/Puss Baloo the Bear

Usage

What vs. which questions What is used to when asking a question for

which many (or an unknown number of) answers are possible.

Which is used if you are choosing between two (or a limited number of) answers.

Usage

What vs. which questions What is your favorite color? Which is your favorite color (red or blue)? Which wrist did your break? What would you like for lunch? What highway should I take to St. Peter?

You can take either 169 or 22. Which is the better road?

Usage

Lie/lay Lie – intr.v. lay, lain, lying, lies. 1. To be in

or place oneself in a prostrate or recumbent position; rest; recline. (American Heritage Dictionary)

I will lie down when I’m tired. Yesterday, I lay in bed for most of the

morning.

Usage

Lie/lay Lay – tr.v. laid, laying, lays. 1. To cause to

lie; put in a recumbent position: lay a child in its crib. 2. To place or rest in a particular state or position. 3. To put or set down; deposit. (American Heritage Dictionary)

I will lay the book on the table—the same place I laid it yesterday.

Usage

Omitting prepositions Biff saw Buffy (on) the day before

yesterday. I saw her (on) last Thursday. We lived there (for) six years. I was in meetings (for) all week. All (of) the Maverick players were

suspended for studying grammar during practice.

Questions?