extreme editing
Post on 13-Jan-2015
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© 2013 Leah Guren
Editing as an Extreme Sport
Leah Guren, Cow TC
Let’s get extreme!
Are you ready?
The Three Cs
The Five Faces of Fluff
Are you ready to get extreme?
What’s holding you back?
Holding on to excess content?
Distrusting yourself to slice and dice?
Letting other stakeholders push you around?
???
Set yourself free, baby!
Free your mind with this mantra.
You are under no legal or ethical obligation to document everything.
Learn the three Cs of extreme editing.
Correct
Clear
Curt
Correct
Spelling and grammar
Punctuation • yes: serial (aka Oxford) commas and correct dashes
• no: comma splices and general sloppiness
Data
Up-to-date for product version
Exercise 1: Find the errors.
Changing the Refrigrator Water Filter
1. Remove filter from the box, and removes the coloured
caps on the end of filter.
2. Push the release button that is next too a circular cap
on the grille..
3. Pull the filter out of the grill.
4. Turn the grille cap counter clock wise to remove it from
the old filtre.
5. Place the grille cap on the same place on the new water
filter and turn it clockwize making sure the words on the
filter are facing the right side up and place the new filter
inside the grille.
6. Push it in to the grille until it clucks into place.
Clear
Unambiguous: • not open to interpretation
• “You would be lucky to get Joe to work for you.”
Understandable for reader (correct level): • vocabulary and complexity
• FOG level
Globally understandable • international designations (date, time, etc.)
• no regional idiom or cultural interpretation
Consistent
Layout and design clearly supporting meaning
Exercise 2: Find the ambiguities.
Security Patch 4.167
This software patch for Global Guest Quest should resolve
the reported security problems.
1. Close the application before installing the patch.
2. In services (System configuration in Control Panel),
make sure that Global Quest is activated as single user.
3. Copy all files to the installation directory and run from
there.
4. The next time it is run, choose Reset Data. You can
then use the program without any security risks.
Exercise 3: Find the global confusion.
Thank you for buying this Thermal King product.
We are truly proud of all of our insulated food
containers, but with the Thermal King line, we’ve really
hit it out of the ballpark!
If you have any problems with the product or any
questions, feel free to give us a ring in our customer
service department M-F between 9 am and 5 pm daily.
Specifications
dimensions: 5" base diameter x 9.5" height
weight: 284 grams
volume: 5 pints (2.4 liters)
Curt
Minimalist does not mean rude
Short and to-the-point
No unnecessary words
Stay tuned for the five faces of fluff…
Recognize the five faces of fluff.
incorrect passive voice
pompous writing
waffling
extra words
poorly planned repetition
Avoid passive voice.
Avoid passive voice.
This is not a passive cow; this is a passive-aggressive cow.
Avoid passive voice.
There are only three legitimate cases: • no agent
• emphasizing action
• avoiding blame
Otherwise, rewrite in active voice: • shorter
• easier to understand
• clear responsibility
• easier to translate
Exercise 4: Correct the passive voice.
The vacuum unit should be turned off before changing
any attachments. It is recommended to also unplug the
vacuum unit.
Warning!
The vacuum wide-angle attachment should not be used
when cleaning damp or liquid spills.
Remove the excess formality.
Pompous, formal writing is not “more professional”
Remember, you are answering a question
Use the simplest words
Be straight-forward and honest
“It has come to our attention that this pastoral setting has been rendered incommodious through the dissemination of bovine excrement.”
Be advised that user failure to adhere to
prescribed maintenance procedures increases
the propensity for the system to perform at
substandard levels.
Exercise 5: Take the stick out!
Stop waffling.
Unintentional waffling often means that you don’t really understand
Intentional waffling means that the lawyers got involved!
Say what you mean
Don’t offer multiple ways
Exercise 6: Simplify to a single way.
Select Format Details and complete the fields to
change the format. You can also access the Format
Details dialog box by right-clicking in any Session
active area, or by using <Ctrl+F>, or by accessing the
Session properties (Active Session
Properties Modify).
Consider the cost of every word.
Every word is a potential barrier
Hidden strong verbs: • The meeting came to an end at 14:30. (ended)
• Richard reached a decision about dessert. (decided)
Bloated phrases and meaningless filler: • at this point in time (now)
• in spite of the fact that (although)
• located on (on)
Exercise 7: Use the strong verb.
The test cycle completion occurs when all
reviewers come to an agreement over the
inclusion of elements in the final release.
Don’t repeat unless in a critical path.
Info is modular
No one reads documentation, but uses it in a non-linear manner
Only repeat mission-critical info in the middle of a work flow
Use xrefs correctly but sparingly
All of the special keys are described here along with
their functions and uses.
Shortcut
F3
F4
F5
F7
F9
Function
Use this key to access system help.
Use this key to launch the SQL Wizard.
Use this key to open the Designer.
Use this key to send a user request.
Use this key to search messages.
Exercise 8: Strip out duplication.
How do you meet your goals?
Know your stuff: • basics (grammar, punctuation, syntax, usage)
• language
• writing style for TC
Don’t neglect subject matter
Think first, edit after!
It may surprise you to realize that your user
identification is not character-restricted or
limited to a short length. In fact, any
alphanumeric string, up to 100 characters,
can be recognized by the system as long
as it doesn’t include spaces.
Exercise 9: Try the bonus round!
Thank you!
Leah Guren technical communication training & consulting
tel: (+972) 54-485-3473
email: leah@cowtc.com
Skype: leah.guren
website: www.cowtc.com
A butter
approach to
TC…
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