These days columns get edited very little. I write a weekly column, and it always appears exactly as I write it. They don’t have the budget to have many editors anymore.
Granted this strip is around 30 years old but I think editing was starting to slip even back then. Now newspapers, magazines, and even novels seem to get no editing for spelling, homonym errors, or grammar. About the only editing a newspaper article might get is to chop off an inch at the end for space reasons.
mick2001 and GretchensMom: Granted Margo Kidder’s Lois Lane was a poor speller, but that was not held over from the comics. I was an avid collector of comic books – especially Superman & his friends and nowhere did I ever see a reference to Lois’ inability to spell. She was always headstrong and back when they still called her a “girl reporter” she would put herself in jeopardy just to get Superman to show up, but her skills as a reporter were never questioned. In fact, in the comics, she has a Pulitzer prize.
Any newspapers star investigative reporter who can’t recognize the same man when he put on eye glasses and a suit doesn’t say much for the newspaper or the reporter.
I used to do editing of PTA monthly news letters at both my kids schools (grade and HS) and carefully proofed everyone’s articles in a paper that I also helped mimeograph- all 8 or 9 pages. I did not mind the volunteer work and adding title art as well as my own cartoons, but I quit after I had my own editorial removed because we had a local blood drive and I wrote in support. The official PTA did not support it and it was censored. I wrote an article about suppression of free speech which was also not permitted, but I passed out copies to everyone who I could- that was my only experience with volunteer editing. I was very busy with the 4 kids and finally divorcing my X.
I appreciate spell checkers, but nothing can substitute for a read through from a fresh eye (even the writer after a good night’s sleep if noone else is available). Most of my spelling errors are easily caught by the normal spell check-too bad we don’t have it here!
But- if the proofreader can’t spell and doesn’t have a strong grip on grammar, then what? Have you read any college freshman papers lately? They don’t read unless forced to, so they can’t write. (and no, Cliff notes don’t count as reading any more than watching the movie.)
pouncingtiger almost 13 years ago
By that implication, John is Elly’s Superman when he doesn’t wear his glasses.
hsawlrae almost 13 years ago
Better you than me, kid.
Elaine Rosco Premium Member almost 13 years ago
It’s a start Elly…good for you!
cdward almost 13 years ago
These days columns get edited very little. I write a weekly column, and it always appears exactly as I write it. They don’t have the budget to have many editors anymore.
TexTech almost 13 years ago
Granted this strip is around 30 years old but I think editing was starting to slip even back then. Now newspapers, magazines, and even novels seem to get no editing for spelling, homonym errors, or grammar. About the only editing a newspaper article might get is to chop off an inch at the end for space reasons.
tmick2001 almost 13 years ago
Lois Lane couldn’t spell worth a crap.
JP Steve Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Spell checkers are so much more efficient than proofreaders!
(JPS, son of a professional proofreader.)
JanLC almost 13 years ago
mick2001 and GretchensMom: Granted Margo Kidder’s Lois Lane was a poor speller, but that was not held over from the comics. I was an avid collector of comic books – especially Superman & his friends and nowhere did I ever see a reference to Lois’ inability to spell. She was always headstrong and back when they still called her a “girl reporter” she would put herself in jeopardy just to get Superman to show up, but her skills as a reporter were never questioned. In fact, in the comics, she has a Pulitzer prize.
hippogriff almost 13 years ago
“Girl reporter” was standard back then. Big bands had a girl singer and a boy singer (Sinatra was one of the latter, notably with Tommy Dorsey.)*
The Life I Draw Upon almost 13 years ago
Any newspapers star investigative reporter who can’t recognize the same man when he put on eye glasses and a suit doesn’t say much for the newspaper or the reporter.
vldazzle almost 13 years ago
I used to do editing of PTA monthly news letters at both my kids schools (grade and HS) and carefully proofed everyone’s articles in a paper that I also helped mimeograph- all 8 or 9 pages. I did not mind the volunteer work and adding title art as well as my own cartoons, but I quit after I had my own editorial removed because we had a local blood drive and I wrote in support. The official PTA did not support it and it was censored. I wrote an article about suppression of free speech which was also not permitted, but I passed out copies to everyone who I could- that was my only experience with volunteer editing. I was very busy with the 4 kids and finally divorcing my X.
vldazzle almost 13 years ago
I appreciate spell checkers, but nothing can substitute for a read through from a fresh eye (even the writer after a good night’s sleep if noone else is available). Most of my spelling errors are easily caught by the normal spell check-too bad we don’t have it here!
bluskies almost 13 years ago
But- if the proofreader can’t spell and doesn’t have a strong grip on grammar, then what? Have you read any college freshman papers lately? They don’t read unless forced to, so they can’t write. (and no, Cliff notes don’t count as reading any more than watching the movie.)