The Editing Post!

Oct 03, 2008 21:50

Hey all!



The Editing Checklist

Click here for a Definition of the Editing Levels.

Click here to jump to the Editing Chart.

Click here to jump to the Bottom

*Note* - Everyone's edits are in alphabetical order, with the name of the editor first and the person receiving the edit second.

Edit the Checklist

Poll Critiques & Editing Checklist for Week 4, Month 5

The Editing Chart

Click here for a Definition of the Editing Levels.

Click here to jump to the Editing Checklist.

Click here to jump to the Bottom

LJ name

Grammar?

No Holds

Barred

Tough &

Polite

Yes

Gentle

No

Editor 1

Editor 2

Link to Entry

attentionhoard

X

X

.

.

.

.

bwh

desert_rose
http://attentionhoard.livejournal.com/228433.html#cutid1

bridgetsfire

X

X

.

.

.

.

jamais_toujours

innana88
http://bridgetsfire.livejournal.com/22902.html?format=light

drippedonpaper

X

X

.

.

.

.

harlotbug3

lacombe
http://drippedonpaper.livejournal.com/16058.html

harlotbug3

X

X

.

.

.

.

pipisafoat

wierdauntie
http://harlotbug3.livejournal.com/24307.html

harlotbug3

X

X

.

.

.

.

aisling87

triplescorpio
http://harlotbug3.livejournal.com/24307.html

hwango

X

X

.

.

.

.

dioscorea

jellybeanchichi
http://hwango.livejournal.com/197510.html

innana88

X

X

.

.

.

.

triplescorpio

ofshootingstars
http://aine-marihugh.livejournal.com/1667.html

insolentscrawl

X

X

.

.

.

.

attentionhoard

watchclarewrite
http://insolentscrawl.livejournal.com/3735.html#cutid1

leyse

X

X

.

.

.

.

pipisafoat

cedarwolfsinger
http://nowonmai.livejournal.com/6383.html

firesign10

.

.

X

.

.

.

renga_atama

mermaidbia
http://firesign10.livejournal.com/520490.html

taste_is_sweet

.

.

X

.

.

.

kithlyara

bwh
http://taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com/3777.html#cutid1

wierdauntie

.

.

X

.

.

.

kirbygal

blackbird_xiii
http://wierdauntie.livejournal.com/76641.html

mermaidbia

X

.

.

.

X

.

kithlyara

slang_jockey
http://tide-scrolls.livejournal.com/8663.html?#cutid1

tierfal

X

.

.

.

X

.

past0rl_insanity

libra_dragon
http://tierfal.livejournal.com/62145.html

Click here to jump to the Editing Checklist.

Click here to jump to the Editing Chart.

Click here to jump to the Bottom

Repeated content...

Due to multiple requests, e-mails, and comments, I thought I might clear up a lot of confusion and frustration by making a working definition of each of these terms that everyone can use. Bear in mind that I'm completely open to discussion on these in the comments below. If you have any requests for changes, additions, or omissions with these guidelines, I'm all ears.

I'd also like to point out that these examples I've dug up are what I considered exemplary edits. Practically speaking, not all our edits will be this long and detailed- some will be shorter, some will be much longer. These are here because I feel they help communicate exactly what I'm trying to get across. Each editor here has unique approach to what they do, and I value and respect that.

No holds barred! I want opinions, content crit, the works!

Even though we say "No holds barred!", we need to be inoffensive. When we go to edit someone's work, we're a guest in their LJ. "No holds barred" means that we have the freedom to give as long and as detailed an edit as we like, and they're expected to have a thick skin about it. Any HELPFUL ideas we have should be put out there- we don't need to worry about hurting people by going overboard. We've been invited to share opinions and fair but tough editorial comments.

Here's an example of where I see the line. Take these two edits I did:

Good:
http://balloonhat.livejournal.com/10200.html

Not So Good:
http://bwh.livejournal.com/328119.html?thread=872631#t872631

The difference is this: The first one gave a great deal of constructive, helpful criticism. I had a TON to say, and this might be discouraging and too much for some people. However, this person took it very well and it worked out well. In the second one, I'm making crit seemingly JUST to make criticism. I said almost nothing complimentary about a very strong piece and ended up offending.

Pointing out strengths is just as important as identifying areas in need of improvement. We benefit from knowing what we're doing right. Please try to identify at least a few strengths.

Example:
http://i-am-fusebox.livejournal.com/8904.html?thread=11208#t11208

Example:
http://13-stories.livejournal.com/4340.html?thread=19956#t19956

I'd like a tough, courteous edit.

In this case, let's hold back a little. We should keep personal pronouns such as "I" and "You" out of the edits and focus most strongly on examples and evidence. Let's try to keep the number of filled comments in between 1 and 4 comments max unless the piece we're editing is extremely long. These people want tough criticism, so there's no need to hold back on details, structure, and in-depth analysis. However, be sure to throw in a few positives and encouraging words when you can and keep it potent. I think murpholo13 said it very well here. Let's start and end positive, and be tough as nails in the middle.

Example:
http://jellybeanchichi.livejournal.com/1627.html?thread=20827#t20827

Example:
http://aisling87.livejournal.com/47616.html?thread=61952#t61952

Yes, I'd like moderate content criticism.

Unless the entry is extremely long, let's try as hard as we can to keep this to 2-3 comments max. I think that these users appreciate about a 50/50 mix of positives and negatives. They didn't ask for an EASY edit, however, so let's make sure we leave in at least a few good pieces of criticism and that we give them something to chew on. Try to stay away from broad statements- let's get some quotes in there when we can and make sure they see exactly what we mean. I like to throw at least one general piece of writing wisdom in here as well- something that they can keep in mind when writing in the future.

Example:
http://firesign10.livejournal.com/499646.html?thread=1127358#t1127358

Example:
http://selkie-queen.livejournal.com/111558.html?thread=337862#t337862

Yes, but please be gentle!

For these, let's shoot for 65%/35% positive. People generally choose this when they're feeling a little shy, vulnerable or unconfident with their writing. They may be writing something very personal and would like someone to read it and share an opinion simply as a sounding board. We ARE here to edit, so we should do our best to give them some content criticism, but we need to be nice. Bring back the personal pronouns in force but use them in positive ways. "I loved..." "You really pulled me in with", etc. The examples really tell it all- we have some people on the editing team that are great at being kind. I'm not one of them.

Example:
http://cookie-pixie.livejournal.com/412723.html?thread=1269043#t1269043

Example:
http://firesign10.livejournal.com/499646.html?thread=1127102#t1127102

Example:
http://tide-scrolls.livejournal.com/4425.html?thread=10313#t10313

The Bottom

Click here for a Definition of the Editing Levels.

Click here to jump to the Editing Checklist

Click here to jump to the Editing Chart.

editing

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