Monday, April 21, 2014

Hmm …

… the editorial review: Jacques Barzun on Editing. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)



My own golden rule of editing derives from Lord Falkland — if it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change. Apart from obvious slips — a misspelling or a dropped comma — it is best to ask questions. Even in the case of Barzun, if you think there's actually room for improvement, I don't see why one wouldn't bring it up, even at the risk of being shot down.

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