Vol. 21, No.3/Spring 1999
|
Editing Resources on the Internet By Susan JonesLike many projects, this one started out innocently enough: a few requests for helpful sources for copy editors; inquiries here and there about web sites useful to writers; questions now and then about good sources for grammar tips. Before I knew it, the idea was hatched to create a list of such Internet resources. We thought that this list would be useful in BNA's in-house copy editing classes, as a link on the company's Intranet, or as a good handout in the library. There is an abundance of editing and writing help online. I divided my list into sections. For the most part, the listed web sites fall into the following categories: Editing/Style/Usage, Online Writing Labs, Grammar, Words and Miscellaneous. Editing / Style / UsageWilliam F. Blinn Communications From Blinn Communications, specializing in web design and editorial consultation, the "technology in plain English." With /Summit97/ extension, you get his 75-minute presentation of the 1997 Ventura Summit in Dallas, Texas. The Slot Subtitled "A Spot for Copy Editors," this site is by Bill Walsh and features as its "heart" The Curmudgeon's Stylebook, intended (according to the author) to be a supplement, not a replacement, to AP's stylebook. Access is by category and by index. Also amusing are Walsh's "rants" in the Sharp Points section, where he vents about certain pet peeves, e.g. misguided emphasis on the active voice, misuse of slang, and overuse of capitalization. CopyEditor Home page of the newsletter of the same name (Copy Editor Language News for the Publishing Professional). The visitor can download a sample issue and can click on links for copy editors. Provides updates on usage and style, answers to "sticky" copy-editing questions, new words, book reviews, interviews, and editors' opinions on points of usage. Garbl's Writing Resources On Line "The Ultimate Creativity Tool," this site focuses on English language, grammar, style, writing, usage, words, reference sources, word play, books on writing, and online writing experts. One of the best lists of links related to writing. The Arrow Colin Wilcox, technical writer and web developer, has developed this "easy, fast outlining tool that helps you find your voice, organize your thoughts, untangle kinked prose, unstick your frozen brain, and stir your creative juices." Criscadian's Active Voice James A. Ayers of Criscadian Editorial Services has provided this site full of practical, useful advice. Features: a Body of Verbs Thesaurus, Quick Tips, with ideas and tricks for better writing, and a Self-Critique Test for Writers. Deadwood Phrases Prune that deadwood from your phrases. Your writing will thank you for it. (And your readers!) From Battelle's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The King's English H.W. Fowler's 1908 classic work, covering vocabulary, syntax, punctuation, and grammar. WWW Virtual Library : Journalism Covers broadcasting, communications, media, and news. Arranged alphabetically in ten sections, covering such things as associations, awards, news bureaus, and Internet alerts. Writing Tools Lucy Lynch, at the University of Oregon's Computing Center, has compiled a wonderful list of writing tool bookmarks. Internet Resources on Writing Many links to sites helpful for the writing process, getting started, obstacles & anxieties, revision, grammar, style, etc. and research resources. Writing Info Service Many (over three pages) of links to writing programs, grammar, and writers' societies and guilds. Writing Wrong: 10 Common Stumblers This is from Marthy W. Johnson, Copyediting Services, of Anchorage, Alaska. Correct those manglers and potholes, give some backbone to wimpy words, tame your vicious verbs and runonandons, and straighten those gender benders. Writing Basics Links to websites dealing with motivation & inspiration, fiction, non-fiction and improving your writing. 11 Rules of Writing This is a service of Junket Studies of northern New Jersey. Ask the Style Meister Writing Tips of the Month Timely hints on grammar, style, formatting and other related topics. Niva Inc. is a technical documentation and communications firm in Ottawa, Canada. The Convergence Magazine House Style v 2.01 From Craig Saila and Convergence (an online publication) -- an online writing guide. Editorial Eye A sampler of articles from The Editorial Eye, "a resource for writers, editors, designers, project managers, communications specialists, and everyone else who cares about contemporary publishing practices." Strunk's Elements of Style A classic. Information on grammar, punctuation, style, and sentence and paragraph formation. The Writer's Corner A bibliography for copy editors, this has many interesting and valuable links. Writing/Editing/Design for COPYEDITORS This is the Poynter Institute's Visual Journalism home page, with handouts, tips, and links. Copy Editing for Magazines Mindy McAdams (copy editor, educator, and consultant) offers an interactive spelling test, an introduction to the copy editor's vocabulary, a guide to magazine copy editing, a bibliography of books essential for an experienced copy editor, and even more links. Inklings A free, biweekly electronic newsletter for writers. Inkspot A resource for writers -- a comprehensive source full of market information and tips on improving writing. The American Copy Editors Society. A lot of good information here: Words on Words, job openings, surveys of copy editors, discussion boards, educational and training opportunities, internships, and links to reference sources. Editor's Ink -- Related Links Many links to journalists' and editors' professional organizations, associations, societies, foundations, and institutes. Freelance Editorial Association A nonprofit membership organization, working to promote the interests of freelancers in many editorial fields. Editorial Freelancers Association A job bank and professional resource. Freelance Online A Directory of and resource center for freelancers in the fields of communication. Jobs, message boards, FAQs, and a searchable directory of over 700 freelancers. The Electric Editors Based in the UK, with many links to newsletters on language, technology, and editorial style. So, You Want to Be an Editor? (Subtitled "A Gentle Introduction to the Profession of Editing") An essay from the Editors' Association of Canada. Writers Write (The Internet Writing Journal) An excellent resource for professional writers. John Hewitt's Writer's Resource Center Articles (John Hewitt and others), lists, notes, FAQs, recommended reading. Helpful links, too. Bread Loaf School of English: Composition Educational resources on general writing, creative writing, organizing and planning, grammar, and electronic communication. The Write Page Another online newsletter, this one with over 300 pages of author and book information for readers and how-to information for writers of genre fiction. The Desktop Writing workshop Tom Parker puts you through interactive exercises. (For a fee.) Online Writing Labs Writers' Workshop From the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explanations and illustrations of the basic grammatical rules for parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentences and sentence elements, and common problems of usage. Online Writing Labs An excellent resource, this is a compendium of writing resources for students and teachers. It is a project supported by Purdue University and its Department of English, offering long distancelearning for the Purdue community and Internet users. Its goal: to help writers improve their writing skills. Provides many links. Texas A&M Writing Center Hyper-Handouts Help on a variety of writing topics. Takes you from the planning through the rough draft and polishing states. Also suggestions on writing about plays, poetry, prose, journal articles or essays, and literature in general. The Writing Center at UW-Madison Provides individual instruction, a writer's handbook, FAQs, and links to other Internet resources. Like the above site from Purdue University, this is one of a growing list of On-Line Writing Labs (OWLs). Writing-Related Internet Sites Many, many, many, many links to OWLs, and to general writing/grammar resources, subject-specific writing resources, and other writing reference sites. Did we say lots? Grammar On-Line English Grammar From the Digital Education Network (www.edunet.com/), this resource by Anthony Hughes (UK) is an online English grammar, with a table of contents specifying Adjectives, Adverbs, Nouns, Possessives, Determiners, Pronouns, and Verbs. There is also a subject index. Grammar Queen The queen (Wendy Weiner) offers "sage advice on how to wipe up those dangling modifiers, pull the plug on passives, ." What appear to be links to helpful resources (e.g. Bartlett's Roget's Thesaurus and the American Heritage College Dictionary are really only links to amazon.com. Grammar Lady Mary Newton Bruder offers grammar tips and a grammar line (1-800-279-9708). Her purpose: "to raise consciousness about correct language use, and to remind everyone of the ways to have fun with language." Ask Miss Grammar Miss Grammar is Helen Moody, Ph.D., Professional Training Co., Corrales, N.M. Articles and archives on grammar and usage. Grammar and Style Notes By Jack Lynch. " a miscellany of grammatical rules and explanations, comments on style, and suggestions on usage " An alphabetical organization of many different aspects of grammar, style, and writing. English Consulting and Language Reference Service A commercial service with experience in teaching, writing, and editing. "Do you have a question about english grammar or some other language topic? Ask us!" Grammar NOW! Personal answers by e-mail to your questions about grammar, usage, composition, editing and proofreading. Grammar Girl's Guide to the English Language This service is provided by an experienced technical, scientific and newsletter/magazine editor. Grammar Slammer The English Language Experts of Shelton, Connecticut have developed this online version of their commercial product. Big Dog's Grammar G&S Services, an editing, language instruction and resume writing firm in Amarillo, TX. Emergency Grammar System This is a test. This is only a test. But it's an amusing one, and worth trying. See how you score! Guide to Grammar and Writing Prepared by Charles Darling, Professor of English/Humanities for English courses at Capital Community-Technical College and for the online public. Pop-Up Grammar From Northern Illinois University, an online English grammar instruction site. Students may take several tests and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Future plans include links to assistance pages for further instruction. The Grammar Doctor Nashville State Tech provides this service, which allows e-mail "Ask the Grammar Doctor" questions and quizzes.
Words Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition A Web of On-line Dictionaries Focusing on Words "Experience the wonder of words by focusing on the Latin and Greek elements used in English." Jesse's Word of the Day One of my favorite spots. If you've discovered his book (same title), you'll also love this website. Questions about words, grammar or usage are all answered at this site. Wilton's Etymology Page From David R. Wilton, Larkspur, California, interesting essays and articles on the history of English, word origins, and common errors. Word for Word "Click and ye shall find the origins of unusual words and phrases." The Wordsmyth English Dictionaryt-Thesaurus Robert Parks, Ph.D. and the ARTFL Project at the University of Chicago have developed this unique, integrated dictionary and thesaurus, with more than 100,000 entries. The Word Wizard From London, England, Jonathon Green answers questions about word derivations, and offers a selection of new words, slang, quotations, and insults. The Alternative Dictionaries International slang. You may read and input words not normally included in dictionaries. Miscellaneous The Library Spot This should be on everyone's list of bookmarks. This site is a springboard to dictionaries, encyclopedias, quotations, directories, other libraries -- in short all major reference sources. BookWire " the book industry's most comprehensive and thorough online information source." Industry news, reviews, original fiction, interviews, and annotated links to related sites. The Quotations Page My favorite hangout. You can search one or up to ten full-text sources for words or just get your "quote fix" -- regular or motivational -- for the day. (Or week.) Susan Jones is currently working at the Bureau of National Affairs. For eight years, she managed the corporate library at American States Insurance (now Safeco) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
|
News Library News
SLA News Division Home
The page was reformatted on 4/6/03. The content, including URLs and contact information, on this page has not been updated to preserve the historical record.
Comments about News Library News should go to the editor.
Comments about the Web site should go to the Webmaster: newsdivisionweb@yahoo.com