[ATTW-L] [EXT] technical editing class -- hard-copy markup?

[Baker, Holly Teresa]

I come from the perspective as an active technical editor (been editing in different fields since 2004). In my experience, I do 95% of my editing digitally, using Word, PDFs, and online systems like Overleaf and QuAD.

If students have only one semester to learn some editing skills, then dropping hard-copy editing is reasonable, or limiting its instruction to 1 week (not a whole unit). However, if there is more than one editing class offered, I think it is useful to teach students how to read and use proofreading marks because they may be at a disadvantage in the industry if the proofs of a print deliverable end up on their desks and they don't know how to efficiently communicate edits to other members of the team.

Like another respondent said, some editing tests are given as hard copy (I've had a few), and it might be used to identify those with specific training in editing. What's more, some students may not end up in technical editing but in another related field that uses hard copy more regularly, and having transferable skills is always a boon. My vote is to teach it.

Holly
________________________________
From: ATTW-L <attw-l-bounces at attw.org> on behalf of Smith, Jordan <Jordan.Smith2 at unt.edu>
Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2023 4:23 PM
To: Jonathan Arnett <jonathan.arnett at gmail.com>; attw-l at attw.org <attw-l at attw.org>
Subject: Re: [ATTW-L] [EXT] technical editing class -- hard-copy markup?

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Hi Jonathan,

I'm in the same boat having taught hard-copy markup in the past but wondering whether I should keep doing it. There are many other things I'd like to prioritize in my course this semester (for example, I'm thinking through how to include a unit on editing AI-assisted/generated writing), so I'm leaning toward leaving it out.

Hope that helps,

Jordan
________________________________
From: ATTW-L <attw-l-bounces at attw.org> on behalf of Jonathan Arnett <jonathan.arnett at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2023 3:16 PM
To: attw-l at attw.org <attw-l at attw.org>
Subject: [EXT] [ATTW-L] technical editing class -- hard-copy markup?

Hi, colleagues.

I have a question, and I'd like your input.

I'm updating my Technical Editing class, and I'm pondering whether to
keep or cut the unit on hard-copy markup. I taught this unit in years
past to good effect, but now that most editing is done electronically, I
wonder if hard-copy markup is a dead skill.

If you were to (or if you actually do) teach a course on technical
editing, would you teach hard-copy markup?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Jonathan Arnett
Associate Professor of Technical Communication
Department of Technical Communication & Interactive Design
Kennesaw State University


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