ENG 310/COM356

Editing and Publishing

Journal assignment. These must be typed and double-spaced. I will ask to see them at times during the semester, and will also both call on people and ask for volunteers to provide interesting examples from any of the categories. (Note: you need all three—a word, a catch and a headline—each time.) Also in each case tell me where you saw it. For the catch and the headline, include a copy of the original.

1. A word: Choose a word that you have read or heard that caught your attention. Show or explain the context (where you saw it). Define the word (from a dictionary, and name that dictionary; and define in your own words), explain why you found it interesting and give its etymology. (This will generally be a word that's new to you, but could also be an old one used in an interesting way.)

2. A catch: The “catch” can be any example of sloppy (or non-) editing, and can come from any source (news media, posters, ads, road signs, etc.). You must provide copies of the errors in your journal (photographs, photocopies, clippings, etc.) and explain where you found it (a URL would be useful). For example, this photo. (were they kidding?), this one (not kidding), or this (would you hire them?). Here's a local one from Bells Mill Road. And here's one (two errors, really) I saw driving back through Connecticut.

State when and where you found the error, explain the nature of the error (including how it should be corrected), any clues to its cause (auto-correct?) and mention whether you think the error was intentional or unintentional. Better examples are ones that you noticed, not ones others have already found (See also examples on the Apostrophe Society page (!).

3. Headline challenge: Find a “duh” headline or a poorly or oddly worded one in print or online, and suggest a better headline that would fit in the same space, based on what the story is about—in other words, explain the story and why you selected this headline, and why your headline is an improvement. Include copies of the original headline and the top of the article. Again, better examples are ones that you noticed, not ones others have already found; state where you found the headline (again, a URL).

First "round" due Tuesday, January 29 with catch and headline originals included. Have it ready to show and discuss.