Well, at least I edit at night, . . . or rather, I edit in the dark. I had my copyediting final this morning, and it was in our regular classroom, which is in the basement of the JFSB. We had to edit 40 sentences, rewrite 5 horribly written sentences (probably written by physicists), and edit a two-page essay. It was open book (which was excellent because as an actual hideous editor, I'll have access to practically any resource I need), so I had my Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Chicago Manual of Style, Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace, and The Copyeditor's Handbook. I was set.
The final took the full 2 hours, and about two-thirds of the way through, the lights go out. Remember, this final was in the basement of the JFSB--it was dark. Ha, then everyone took out their cell phones and laptops for lame light sources. So, for the last third of my final, I was moving my cell phone around making sure I saw and noticed everything I was supposed to. I also used the nifty little light in my cell phone to check over my entire exam and read entries in Chicago and the dictionary. Right as I turn in the final, the lights come back on.
Even though I had to take my final in the dark, I feel like I'm an official copyeditor--I have the basic editing skills promised by ELang 350: Basic Editing Skills. I am ready to be hideous.
3 comments:
The mental picture of a room full of hideous copy editors working by cell-light is just too funny. Can't wait until Friday!
You painted quite a picture with this post, Charlotte! Hooray for being hideous -- I for one think it would be kind of fun to be a copy editor...
hey I know tyrone, and just clicked on your blog. So your good at editing huh that doesn't sound fun, too bad i didn't read this blog post when i was in sschool you could have edited my papers for sure. They are duesy no doubt.
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