Professional writers can be very particular when it comes to their work. Most choose their words carefully and deliberately. Technical writers are not necessarily creative. They tend to be experts in the specific fields they write about. A lot of these people, whose job it is to instruct and teach, get nervous when they see technical editors with their electronic blue pencils in hand.
Writers of scientific copy are often experts in the fields they write about. An editor has areas of expertise as well. Most have bachelor's degrees or higher in language, journalism and writing. It is the function of an editor to read first drafts of documents and correct punctuation, grammar, and improve clarity. They improve form and question possible inaccuracies. After the initial edit, the editor re-reads the copy to make sure all the corrections were understood and are in place.
The editor has to be an advocate for the reader. The written copy must be clear, concise and easy to understand. Since the writing is technical and detailed in nature, it must be structured in such a way that it makes sense to someone skimming through the document looking for particular information. It is very important that any warnings or disclaimers be clearing outlined in the body of the document or annotated in a professional manner.
Part of the responsibility the editor has to the publisher is to keep a project within a specific budget and meet agreed upon deadlines. Compliance with standards and practices is the editor's responsibility. They must be familiar with previously published works and ensure new editions are compatible.
If you love to read, write, and have a good grasp of language, editing might be something to consider as a career. You will need a college degree in a related field and learn, on the job, the most effective ways to work with writers. When you edit, you must have concrete reasons for it. Your writer might question your choices.
You must remember that you are the editor not the writer. Imposing your own style on a document is not part of your job. It is important when you are editing specialized writing that you don't change the meaning of what you are reading. Changes you make must be based on facts and research. You should never change something based on instinct. It is sometimes easier to send your revisions to the writer in sections rather than sending the entire edit at one time.
A good editor is an effective communicator. Maintaining a respectful and courteous attitude goes a long way. Suggesting is better than demanding changes. Presenting your changes as improvements on good work can smooth the editing process. If everyone has the same goal and is working together to accomplish it, the disagreements can be kept in perspective.
Good editors serve important functions. They do not exist just to destroy the work of talented writers. When editors and writers collaborate, good things can happen.
Writers of scientific copy are often experts in the fields they write about. An editor has areas of expertise as well. Most have bachelor's degrees or higher in language, journalism and writing. It is the function of an editor to read first drafts of documents and correct punctuation, grammar, and improve clarity. They improve form and question possible inaccuracies. After the initial edit, the editor re-reads the copy to make sure all the corrections were understood and are in place.
The editor has to be an advocate for the reader. The written copy must be clear, concise and easy to understand. Since the writing is technical and detailed in nature, it must be structured in such a way that it makes sense to someone skimming through the document looking for particular information. It is very important that any warnings or disclaimers be clearing outlined in the body of the document or annotated in a professional manner.
Part of the responsibility the editor has to the publisher is to keep a project within a specific budget and meet agreed upon deadlines. Compliance with standards and practices is the editor's responsibility. They must be familiar with previously published works and ensure new editions are compatible.
If you love to read, write, and have a good grasp of language, editing might be something to consider as a career. You will need a college degree in a related field and learn, on the job, the most effective ways to work with writers. When you edit, you must have concrete reasons for it. Your writer might question your choices.
You must remember that you are the editor not the writer. Imposing your own style on a document is not part of your job. It is important when you are editing specialized writing that you don't change the meaning of what you are reading. Changes you make must be based on facts and research. You should never change something based on instinct. It is sometimes easier to send your revisions to the writer in sections rather than sending the entire edit at one time.
A good editor is an effective communicator. Maintaining a respectful and courteous attitude goes a long way. Suggesting is better than demanding changes. Presenting your changes as improvements on good work can smooth the editing process. If everyone has the same goal and is working together to accomplish it, the disagreements can be kept in perspective.
Good editors serve important functions. They do not exist just to destroy the work of talented writers. When editors and writers collaborate, good things can happen.
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