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Eye for Editing: Learned or Innate?

by Paula Robertson

Editor’s Note: A version of this article was originally published in the STC Notebook in September 2013 as the first in a series. Over the course of 2022, we hope to publish more of these articles. To make it easier for you to find these articles again in the future, they will be tagged with the Eye for Editing tag, and the titles prefaced with the same phrase.

The Eye for Editing column explores the topic of editing—technical editing, editing as a skill, practical tips, personal stories, and whatever tangents that might lead us to. I hope to engage you in reflection to answer the question, “Do you have an Eye for Editing?”

Continue reading “Eye for Editing: Learned or Innate?”
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Conversation Starter: How Do You Feel About the Singular “They”?

Editor’s Note: As part of our Conversation Starter feature, we present what we hope is the first part of an ongoing discussion about the evolution of the English language, especially the use of gender-neutral pronouns.

Want to join the conversation? Email your thoughts to editor@stc-techedit.org, or write them in the Comments section at the end of this article. We’ll publish them in future issues.

Professor Jo Mackiewicz and Allison Durazzi of Iowa State University are studying how editors make editorial decisions about issues related to gender, and have put together a short survey about the use of the singular pronoun “they.” The findings of this study can help editors better understand how other editors make editorial decisions related to gender and pronouns.

This survey is a much shorter and easier-to-use version than one they distributed previously, and they think (or, at least, hope) that it will be thought provoking. It should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the detail you provide in your responses.

To participate in this study, go to: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2gdfd9eFWxBayb4

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Mackiewicz (jomack@iastate.edu).

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Call for Submissions to Corrigo!

Do you have something to say that you think technical editing practitioners will find interesting? Then consider submitting it for publication on Corrigo!

You don’t need to be a member of the STC Technical Editing SIG – regardless of your official job title, we welcome and encourage everyone to read and submit to Corrigo.

Corrigo has lots of different feature categories:

You can submit short (1000 words or less), original content about subjects you think technical editing practitioners might find interesting, for example:

  • Stories about how applying technical editing skills increases reader satisfaction
  • Information about tools you find helpful
  • Hacks that you use to make your job easier
  • Tips about how to balance quality and deadlines
  • Vignettes about a day in your life as a technical editing practitioner
  • Links to sites you find helpful in your job, with explanations about how they help you
  • Reviews of articles, books, or events you’ve read or been to that relate to technical editing

We’re also looking for longer, more detailed original articles about topics that pertain to technical editing, both its theory and its practice.

Send your submissions to the Corrigo editor, Yoel Strimling, at editor@stc-techedit.org.
We’ll try to get back to you within three weeks with our decision. If we think changes need to be made to the submission before it is accepted, we’ll make suggestions.

If you want to discuss possible ideas for submission to Corrigo, send an email to Yoel, and he’ll be happy to listen.

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Of Interest: Why Do We Need an Editor on the Team?

Are technical editors “must-haves” or “nice-to-haves”? Do you really need an editor as part of your documentation team? What are the benefits?

On Wednesday, 15 December 2021 at 4 PM PT (click here for
your local time zone), join a group of very talented and tenured editors (Edna Smith, Li-At Rathbun, Sherri Leah Henkin, Kelly Schrank, and Dr. George Hayhoe) in Green Room 42 to discuss what it takes to succeed as an editor and the impact the role has in enhancing and elevating the overall quality of the entire team.

For more information and to register, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iuhGVVz7SYu2m-DYCtfuyw.

Green Room 42 is the meeting place for active conversations about topics of interest for technical and professional communication practitioners. In this episode, we talk with practitioners about the impact that editors have in enhancing and elevating the overall quality of content strategy and how it works with corporate strategy.

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STC Technical Editing COP Elections 2022: Volunteer Nominees Watned!

If you spotted the mistake in the title – good for you! You are just the kind of person we need on the STC Technical Editing COP volunteer council!

We’re looking for volunteers to run for the following council positions:

  • Co-Manager (two-year term)
  • Secretary (one-year term)
  • Treasurer (one-year term)
  • Membership Manager (one-year term)
  • Social Media Manager (one-year term)
  • Webmaster (one-year term)

For details about each of these positions, go to https://stc-techedit.org/tiki-index.php?page=Elected+Positions.

If you will be a Technical Editing COP member in 2022, keep an eye on your mailbox (maybe in the Spam folder) for the official announcement and instructions about how to apply.

This call for nominees ends at 11:59 PM ET 10 December 2021.

The poll will open on 16 December 2021, and remain open until 30 December 2021. Winners will be notified at the beginning of 2022.

We look forward to hearing from you – and good luck!