Editing & Proofreading Flashcards

A text reads: 'The principle reason for editing is clarity.' What error is present?

Answer: 'Principle' should be 'principal'

'Principal' (meaning primary or main) is the correct word here; 'principle' refers to a rule or belief.

Which approach best defines 'global editing' versus 'local editing'?

Answer: Global editing addresses big-picture issues like organization; local editing addresses sentence-level issues

Global editing focuses on macro-level concerns (structure, flow, argument) while local editing targets sentence- and word-level corrections.

When editing for concision, which revision of 'due to the fact that' is preferred?

Answer: because

'Because' is the concise replacement for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'

A manuscript consistently uses the Oxford (serial) comma. An editor should:

Answer: Maintain the Oxford comma throughout to ensure consistency with the chosen style

If the manuscript's style guide requires the Oxford comma, the editor must apply it consistently throughout.

Which sentence correctly places the period relative to quotation marks in American English?

Answer: She said, "The draft is ready."

In American English, periods and commas are placed inside closing quotation marks.

An editor encounters 'irregardless' in a professional document. The correct action is:

Answer: Flag it and suggest replacing it with 'regardless'

'Irregardless' is a nonstandard double-negative form; 'regardless' is the correct standard word.

What is 'tracking changes' (Track Changes) most useful for in professional editing?

Answer: Creating a visible record of edits so authors can review and accept or reject them

Track Changes creates a transparent, reviewable record of editorial revisions, enabling collaborative author-editor dialogue.