Copy Editing for Professionals

Rating:
Summary: Copy Editing for Professionals
Review: As a former student of this copy editing book, I know it is indeed a copy editing book for professionals. I am a journalist who flips through the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual frequently to remind myself of its rules when the need arises. However, the great book is not nearly as comprehensive as Copy Editing for Professionals, a manual that includes copy editing answers to words and grammar questions not addressed by the Associated Press. And the book goes many steps further with easy to understand explanations and examples of Associated Press rules, chapters on issues that copy editors and reporters face in the field and quizzes to test the reader's knowledge. The useful examples are gained from the experience of authors who are experts in the field. Copy Editing for Professionals is a must-have for students, teachers and professionals in the editing field.

Rating:
Summary: I envy the two authors
Review: This combination textbook/workbook is one of those projects that makes me wish I had done it. Or that one as good as this was available when I was teaching.

It is broken down into three areas: copy reading, headline writing and publication layout. This is for any kind of publication, but the major focus is on newspapers.

A major factor in the book's appeal is the writing style: It makes copy editing sound like fun. It is fun, but many textbooks make it sound dull as dust. Even hardened old copy editors could learn a thing or two from this book.

Another strength is Chapter 5, which goes into some detail on the topic that gives young journalists the most problems: grammar. Without becoming simplistic, the book offers a clear understanding of this most important of all challenges.

If there is an unfulfilled need it is that the book does not take advantage of the computer. Most publications today are copy edited on a monitor. Paper is passé. Perhaps the next edition will offer a remedy.

Rating:
Summary: More than a textbook
Review: When was the last time you read a textbook because you wanted to?

I ordered this book to help the folks on my team who have become copy editors with no background or training in editing. I meant to simply skim through it, but enjoyed it so much I read the whole thing.

Another co-worker, who is not even an editor or writer, told me he too picked up the book to glance at it, and ended up reading an entire chapter and deciding he had to read the whole thing.

This is indeed a good copy editing textbook -- and a great read.