Comments on: How to make editing less daunting

By: JoAnn

JoAnn — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 19:47:00 +0000

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:51:00 +0000

In reply to Warren.

Good question, Warren! I never suggest tossing all the $2 words for 25-cent ones. Instead, I think writers are wise to use MOSTLY 25-cent words with the occasional (and exceptional) $2 word for emphasis. So, no “utilize” but the occasional “petrichor” when it fits. https://www.publicationcoach.com/petrichor/

By: Warren

Warren — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:31:00 +0000

As a parent with high schoolers in the house, it is an endless struggle in trying to get them to break away from the stilted, passive, redundant structure they are taught to follow in their English classes. Reading aloud is a fantastic and effective way to not only get them to realize what is easy to read, and what is impossible; but it also identifies when a sentence is running on, or is incomplete, has the wrong tense or (like my comment here) just plain boring. Reminding them that their teacher will be reading upward of 45 to 90 essays or reports — depending on how many classes they teacher teaches — when the writer takes their teacher by the hand and leads them through the paper, the writer will be much more favorably graded.
I do have to ask you about complex words. Every week you entertain us with bizarre and oft-unknown words in your blog. If we all tossed those $2 words for the $.25 ones, how would we ever increase the balance in our word banks?

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:26:00 +0000

In reply to caseyhibbard. That's a whole other issue, Casey. I work really hard not to let clients get away with that one (utilize for use), but it sure isn't easy!

By: caseyhibbard

caseyhibbard — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:59:00 +0000

Thanks Daphne! This will be my new editing routine. I can do my part, but then my clients will change “use” to “utilize” to sound smarter. 🙂

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:36:00 +0000

In reply to Marie. I like both words but, you're right, troublesome will be clearer to more people.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:35:00 +0000

In reply to JoAnn. That's a great proofreading tip, JoAnn. The other one that really helps me catch errors is reading aloud. I think this is because it forces me to read SLOWLY enough!

By: JoAnn

JoAnn — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:10:00 +0000

Great list, Daphne. As a former ad agency proofreader, I learned the importance of reviewing a manuscript numerous times. I now review my own writing for the problems you’ve outlined, but I’m also looking for typos (things that can spellchecks don’t always catch). The last pass through for me is reading the text from the end of the article to the beginning. It forces me to look at each word. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found errors that way.

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:47:00 +0000

In reply to Marie. I will admit that "troublesome" sounds better than "onerous." I enjoy your newsletter!

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:28:00 +0000

There are thousands of words in the English language. The practice of using only simple ones is onerous to me.