Editing for Indexers

Copy editing

1. improves the text rather than rewrites it. The author’s ‘voice’ must come through. The editing corrects errors of grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation and ensures that the intention and meaning are clearly expressed;
2. ensures that style (house style or style developed for the work in hand) is consistent;
3. ensures that references and bibliography are complete and layout and format conform to style;
4. oversees proofreading and consequent amendments.

Proofreading

1. corrects spelling, punctuation and typographical errors;
2. ensures that cross-references are complete;
3. ensures that style and format are consistently applied.

There was discussion of some examples of usage and style and of some Microsoft Word devices which help editors especially in keeping track of changes when editing on disk or on-line. Probably the most useful part of the workshop was the description of a number of tools which are important for Australian editors and proofreaders. Some of these are listed below. The handouts included a breakdown of copy editing tasks, a sheet of examples of proofreading marks and a brief proofreading aptitude test.

Bibliography

Australian Government Publishing Service. Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers.5th edition. Canberra, AGPS, 1994 [6th edition in preparation by AusInfo].

Council of Australian Societies of Editors. Australian Standards for Editing Practice.Adelaide?, CASE, 2001.

Eagleson, Robert D (et al.). Writing in Plain English. Canberra, AGPS, 1990.

Flann, Elizabeth & Beryl Hill, Australian Editing Handbook. 2nd edition. Altona, Common Ground, 2001.

Peters, Pam. Cambridge Australian English Style Guide. Melbourne, Cambridge University Press, 1995.

Weber, Jean Hollis. Electronic Editing. Accessible onhttp://www.jeanweber.com/books/e-edit.htm