Chapter 9: Spelling, Capitalization, and Abbreviations 3140 Technical Editing

Importance Errors demonstrate carelessness Credibility suffers May impair reader comprehension

Spelling Guidelines Use spell checker Use a dictionary Keep a list of frequently misspelled words Develop mnemonics Principal (school official—your “pal”) Stationery (writing paper)

Spelling Guidelines Learn root words, prefixes, and suffixes sub—under mis—indicates error or wrongness dis—indicates negation in—not

Spelling Guidelines Apply spelling rules Final “e” Final consonant (doubled with past tense or “ing” form) web Able/ible Respect the limits of your knowledge Know your weaknesses

Spelling Useful list

Frequently Misused Words List More

Capitalization First word of a sentence Titles People Days, months, holidays I Proper nouns

Capitalization Names of specific regions Adjectives of geographic names

Abbreviations When to use an abbreviation? Why use an abbreviation? How to punctuate abbreviations?

Summary Correct spelling, capitalization, and abbreviations increase the accuracy and clarity of writing. Experience with language and understanding of its rules will help editors work quickly and accurately on these aspects of a document, but good editors will also depend on dictionaries and style manuals. These resources establish conventions and aid in consistency. (Rude, 3 rd ed. 151)