The Joy of the Editing Minor Almost every time I tell someone people that I am an English major, the first words that jump out of their mouths are "oh“Oh, I'd better watch my grammar around you", ,” which I always find incredibly humorous. English teaches you nothing about grammar, except what you learn by example. I usually explain this to them and tell them that I'm an editing minor and that if they need to look out, that my minor would be the reason why. People don't give the minor enough credit. It really gives you a technical explanation of why things work and what grammar sticklers expect and in what situations you can deviate from the norm. The editing minor is probably one of the best things I've done at BYU. I would recommend the editing minor to
Commented [HW1]: There are some parallelism issues with this sentence. I would advise saying something like, “The editing minor explains why language works the way it does, what grammar sticklers expect, and what situations allow you to deviate from the norm.”
everyone because of the advantage it gives you in understanding our marvelous English language and the self-confidence it gives you in communication. If you are looking for a good minor to add to the resume, this editing is the minor to take. It is universal because every field involves writing in some way, be it reports or communications or both. I have heard people say that they are not grammar gurus and do not want to take tons of grammar classes, but what they don't realize is that the editing minor is focused on editing: minimal grammar classes, enough so you can understand your editing classes. Besides, what company doesn't look for an eloquent writer or someone with good language skills? Having theIf you have the editing minor on your resume, then that means that you think about language
Commented [HW2]: It might be better to say, “but what they don’t realize is that the editing minor focuses on editing rather than on grammar.” Commented [HW3]: I don’t know if companies specifically look for eloquent writers, but I believe they would definitely count it as a plus. Maybe say, “wouldn’t count it as a bonus if they hire.”
critically, which will attract future employers. Some people would protest and say that the minor does not fit what they are hoping to do in the future. They say that they are not looking into going intoworking in fields that require a lot of communication or technical writing. I myself am not a technically- minded person, but I have found the minor immensely useful. This is partially because the class on print publishing (a very
Commented [HW4]: Deleted hyphen and added space. Chicago says that adverbs ending in -ly + an adjective are not hyphenated.
creative endeavor) is a blast, but it’s also because I care about communicating clearly and effectively. In whatever field you plan on enteringto enter, having confidence in your language skills is never a bad thing. The editing minor has shown me enough about how our language works to make me feel comfortable using language in front of everyone. There have been times in the past when I’m afraid to speak for fear of putting my foot in my mouth. And though you do learn amazing things throughout the course of the editing minor, you may feel overwhelmed by the information. Carol Saller, in her book about being an effective editor, says, “You aren’t alone, you know. When you find yourself debating an issue . . . use the tools at your elbow” (40). One of the brilliant things about editing and language is that the issues
Commented [HW5]: This transition doesn’t connect. Perhaps this would work: “. . . in my mouth, but the editing minor has given me a knowledge base and taught me where to look for further information. With all the amazing things you learn in the minor, however, it may seem overwhelming at times.” Commented [HW6]: Verified quote.
and debates are documented in many, many different places. The editing minor has given me places to look for the answers about language. Even if I forget the basics, I know the places to look to re-teach myself somewhere down the road. The editing minor gives teaches you lifelong language skills that give you confidence to use the right language in the right situations. At times, you might meet so-called “grammar Nazis” who mercilessly alter language in order to fit it to their own egotistic view of the world. It never feels good when someone tries to prove your language wrong when you are in a group settingboth in front of a group, especially with a group you care about. The editing minor gives you places to look to battle them right back. The editing minor also educates you inhelps you learn the reverence that language should
Commented [HW7]: This might bring up the idea that editing minors are argumentative. Maybe say something like, “The editing minor gives you knowledge to shield yourself with.”
inspire—it is our own, personal way of communicating with the world. Saller, when addressing editors, reminds us of the need for flexibility in editing. She says that sometimes people seem to think that “you are bound to adhere to a certainthe standard set by the person or institution that is producing the work and—need I say—paying you for your time. And that is simply wrong.” (4). There is no one right draft a manuscript needs to be edited and whittled down to. And just like
Commented [HW8]: Verified and corrected quote.
with texts being edited, your speech and writing is the same way. It deserves respect and consideration as yours. Not only is your language yours, but everyone else also has a language that belongs to themhim or her. The experiences of being editedhaving your work edited that you
Commented [HW9]: Everyone . . . them isn’t generally accepted usage.
are afforded in the minor remind you of what it is like to be on the receiving end of criticism. By reminding you of the importance of writers and language, the editing minor teaches you how not to be a grammar bully and how to combat those who are. Another protest against being an editing minor is, “I already speak the English language well enough, and people understand, so it’s pointless.” But not all situations are the same. The, and the editing minor teaches you how to adapt your style. of One piece of advice given to me as a creative writer it is that we need to know the rules well in order to break the rules. The same is true about language. If you want to speak intelligently to an audience and break some rules, you have to know what rules you are breaking. It also turns out that many of the rules we are taught in grade school aren’t true. Joseph Williams, in his book about style, relates that “some grammarians have invented a handful of rules that they think we all should observe. These are the rules that the grammar police love to enforce and that too many educated writers obsess over.” (12). Although your audience may understand you now, you will not always be speaking to the
Commented [HW10]: Verified and corrected quote.
same group of people you are now. It is always better to be informed about the way your language works and where to look for updates rather than to just assume you are doing okay. The list of reasons to be an editing minor is a much longer than the list combatting the fears of those who do not wish to enter the minor. One of the cool experiences that I have had while being an editing minor is being able to work in the editing and publication process. As an
Commented [HW11]: This sentence is slightly confusing. Maybe say something like, “I have gone over a lot of reasons to join the editing minor that combat the fears people may have of joining, but the list of reasons to be an editing minor is much longer than this.”
editor at Leading Edge, I was able to create content and help edit content. I helped with a variety of things from acquisitions to proofreading and gained something pretty dang close to real-world
Commented [HW12]: This might be a little too informal.
experience. As a creative writer myself, I gained a lot of insight into it was especially insightful into the work that it takes to produce a book. It has also given me an appreciation for the work that goes into publishing anything, from newspapers to magazines to books. The editing minor is also full of people who care about language. One of the cool things about the editing minor is that it never really feels like a contest. Because everyone cares about language and the people attracted to editing are so pragmatic, rather than a throat-slitting competitioncutthroat and competitive it becomes a group that discusses problems and solutions with language. Also, because there is more than one answer to editing unclear or confusing language, editing becomes a creative process that lets you as an editor make choices that are
Commented [HW13]: This sentence could be easily misread. Maybe say, “Because the people attracted to editing care about language and are so pragmatic instead of cutthroat and competitive, the editing minor becomes a group of people who discuss language problems and solutions.”
different from everyone else. It is a nourishing environment and full of people with the same interests as you. In closing, the editing minor is awesome for your language and self-confidence. Knowing
Commented [HW14]: This is also very informal. Maybe use “does wonders for” or “greatly improves.”
language better makes you a more confident and eloquent speaker, and being able to stand up to grammar bullies with confidence and being involved in a wonderful group of editors is anare amazing experiences. The editing minor gives you real-world tools and real-world experience for any job, not just those at a publishing house. I will probably never become a professional editor, but the skills and work habits and friendships I have developed will make me a better writer, communicator, and member of my community. And if I haven’t convinced you that editing is the best minor ever, perhaps I’ve convinced you that it’s the second best. Because when the hard times hit and your assignments are due, you can think of the editing lecture on dangling modifiers and smile.
Commented [HW15]: As an editing minor who can think back on the lecture about dangling modifiers, I really appreciate this line. It might be good to mention dangling modifiers somewhere in the paper, though, because someone outside of the editing minor might not understand why dangling modifiers would make anyone smile.
Works Cited Saller, Carol Fisher. The Subversive Copy Editor: Advice from Chicago. Chicago: University of
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Chigaco Press, 2009. Print. Williams, Joseph M. Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace. Boston: Pearson, 2014. Print.
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