Editing in Real Life – James daSilva

USA Network and "White Collar" only vaguely know how to spell "judgment"

USA Network is running promos for the season finale of “White Collar.” Now, I neither watch nor have an opinion on that show, and the idea of “season finale” has been so diluted by USA Network’s splitting up of seasons into parts that, for all I know, this could be the seventh or eighth finaleContinue reading “USA Network and "White Collar" only vaguely know how to spell "judgment"”

United Concordia doesn’t understand the phrase "open season"

I take the Metro to work each day in Washington, D.C., and as I ascend toward ground level at the Verizon Center, I’ve been passing an advertisement for United Concordia about the savings you can get from its dental plans. Presumably, it’s also open-enrollment season. Thus, you’d think, there could be a way to useContinue reading “United Concordia doesn’t understand the phrase "open season"”

"Refute" is not "rebut" or "deny," Lance Armstrong edition

Oh, Lance Armstrong wishes he refuted the report by George Hincapie about his illegal substance use. Because by refuting, Armstrong would “1. Prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.” Rather, Armstrong and his people rebutted, at best. “Rebut” being, among other things, “to contradict or oppose by formal legal argument, plea,Continue reading “"Refute" is not "rebut" or "deny," Lance Armstrong edition”

Why news personalization has flopped with users, media

Photo by samplediz Theories on the Internet’s effect on news consumption generally follow one of two themes. The first is that it frees users to find the news of interest and consequence for them — personalized news — without the constrictions of time, editor-gatekeepers and journalistic agendas. The second is that the Internet is aContinue reading “Why news personalization has flopped with users, media”

Eric Holder and porn: The difference 1 missing word makes

I talk about value-added editing as an unfortunate necessity, in which we have to show why editing and care with writing make our products clearer and better — and at a cost worth incurring. But to do this, we have to act — no one will notice, care or act for us. It risks usContinue reading “Eric Holder and porn: The difference 1 missing word makes”

Speaking up for editing: On news websites

I talk about value-added editing as an unfortunate necessity, in which we have to show why editing and care with writing make our products clearer and better — and at a cost worth incurring. But to do this, we have to act — no one will notice, care or act for us. This is noContinue reading “Speaking up for editing: On news websites”

Value-added editing

I try to describe myself as a “value-added” copy editor, and editor in general. “Value-added” is a buzz phrase, but it has meaning if only because the term “copy editor” has lost much of its meaning. Copy editors are often unemployed and copy editing no longer a full job description. Their value — always difficultContinue reading “Value-added editing”

For every editor’s best efforts, there’s an Iran saying "2012" spells "Zion"

“Using the word Zion in the logo of 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against Olympic’s valuable mottos.” ~ the unhinged state that is Iran So, the London people hosting the 2012 Olympic Games have come up with a logo, whose main feature is being centered almost entirely on the fact that it’sContinue reading “For every editor’s best efforts, there’s an Iran saying "2012" spells "Zion"”

"Going forward," "stakeholders" should stop using "jargon"

Or try to. From The Economist (found at its delightful Tumblr): It is reported in London that William Hague, Britain’s foreign secretary, has been shocked by the poor spelling and jargon-infested English he finds in notes from his diplomats. Such obviously bad English isn’t reserved for government or Britain, nor is it limited to writing.Continue reading “"Going forward," "stakeholders" should stop using "jargon"”