Web writing. Web errors. For this particular copy-editor-in-training, it can sometimes drive me nuts. But being completely different from print, where an error made is an error stayed, the web can be quickly edited if a mistake is found. It is clearly a different medium than print, and thus requires a different process for editing and proof-reading. The development of a better editing process for web writing would benefit the internet as a whole–give it more credibility and staying power.
A Little More Than Spell-Check Please…
Published March 19, 2008 Rants 2 CommentsTags: editing, web, writing
Thank you.
you remind me of my school report “must do better”.
Your intent, however is sincere.
Thank you for the pointers and reminders.
Actually the process is quite similar to print. You submit the work to the editor then go through additional web edit (checking to see if links work, checking formatting).
But you’re right, things can be changed as often as you want. CBC changes stuff all the time!
General copy editing and style issues that you learn for print apply to the web as well. The only thing that’s different is the added electronic formatting – that takes practice.
A distinction: Web editing / web editor generally refers to the technical part of the editing (not grammar, copy, etc). A web editor is a device that allows you to design and format a webpage.
Then there are people who edit online content. They are generally just copy editors who are also competent with web interfaces. They also understand web usability writing.
The key thing about writing for the web is web usability. I did a lesson on this with our class (and created a presentation that I shared that referenced all the essentials of usability)
http://www.sun.com/980713/webwriting/
Some people clearly absorbed that lesson on web usability (chunking text, using lists, subheads, standout links, images, graphics). Some people didn’t