We kicked off proceedings by having an impromptu copy editing test, which I failed miserably...as much and all as I love my proofreading symbols I hadn't really looked at them for a couple of weeks, although I did ok with the copy editing codes. Even though I disgraced myself, I actually quite enjoyed the test, and everything more or less came back to me when the answers were revealed. I do think that testing and re-testing is the best way to learn and retain information, but I could probably have done with a little forewarning to brush up (I did so badly I even got the insert symbol backwards so it looked like the Greek letter lambda in lowercase instead. Not good).
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Ooh, they've (referring to the Weebly people who host my website, not some sinister shady government-type operation) changed the blog entry mechanism...this is very exciting! I think I like it, although I am generally not such a huge fan of change. Anyway, I am sorry for the late entry - it's actually been a week since I had my class and the fourth installment will take place this evening - but it's been a crazy week and I've been away for the past few days. It's so nice to be back, though...I've missed writing very much!
On to copy editing, which involves getting the manuscript ready for typesetting, and making sure that it is coherent and flows as it should. Generally, the submitted manuscript has been entirely stripped of all the author's prior formatting, and the copy editor is presented with pristine text that must be organized and processed in terms of style and layout. For example, the copy editor will determine what kind of headings and sub-headings are appropriate; whether bullet points are a good idea; or when to put certain information in a panel or box. This process involves the application of a specific 'code' to identify elements of the manuscript and to tell the typesetter what treatment they should receive, which is always in accordance with the in-house style guide. In addition, the copy editor will assess the factual integrity of the manuscript, and if there are any typographical errors. He or she is the ultimate 'decision-maker', and all decisions must be recorded using a style decision sheet.
This was the last class of the short publishing course, and we spent the first half of the evening discussing marketing and distribution, which we had touched upon the previous week.
I started my Practical Editing course last night and we were immediately thrown into the deep end, and given a three-page document to proofread. I love this kind of thing; enjoying nothing more than having to make sense out of a piece of text and to fix all the mistakes (in my own mind I'm a great fixer and provider of solutions; making sense out of chaos is my absolutely favourite thing).
Week 3: the nuts and bolts of the operation, including the structure of the magazine production team; workflow and schedules; and costs.
Yes, I've decided to wade into the murky waters of drug policy, classification, legalization/decriminalization, and all that goes with them. First of all, I have to acknowledge the inherent difficulties in drafting a drug policy that will please everyone (frankly, this will never happen), and I understand that political and other interests play a defining role - it would be naive in the extreme to imagine that such legislation occurs within a political vacuum. Thus, policy has to balance what is best for the majority of 'ordinary' citizens who do not take illegal drugs or are addicted to them, but many of whom do consume legal drugs such as alcohol and cigarettes, with industry and revenue concerns. For example, drinks companies, tobacco firms, publicans, and retailers are all hugely affected by government legislation; equally, government revenue comes from the VAT on sales of cigarettes and alcohol. This is, of course, also balanced with the cost to the State of treating individuals suffering from ailments linked with the consumption of (il)legal substances, including addiction.
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About my blog
Really, it contains a little bit of everything, from a celebration of science and the English language to the joys of travel and the Shipping Forecast. The title ('Meanderings') is a fairly accurate description of its content: I write about different things as the mood takes me, but hopefully there's something in here for everyone... Categories
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March 2021
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And on another note... |
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