Group Editing Tips & Tricks

1. Group Editing Tips & Tricks Engl 3365

2. the general goals of editing • MATCH the organization and format to the audience and goal • eliminate typos, spelling, format inconsistencies, and other SERIOUS problems • eliminate grammar, clarity, and other BASIC problems • eliminate wordiness, awkward statements, and other STYLE problems (don’t worry about “flow”, just make the report easy to read quickly and clearly) Do all of this with a MINIMUM of time and effort

3. Recommendation Reportevaluation – is it conceptually clear? • Does the report clearly state WHO it is written for, WHAT the report’s goal is, and HOW this document goal benefits the audience? • Does the report give one or more CLEAR recommendations and also EVALUATE the recommendation(s) in a way that would actually help the audience? • Does the report clearly DEFINE AND DESCRIBE the CRITERIA that the group used to evaluate the report recommendation(s), and do these criteria clearly make sense for the audience? • Does the report give information, evidence, and concrete how-to advice that would ACTUALLY HELP the audience to act on the report recommendation(s)?

4. Recommendation Reportevaluation – is it well edited? • Are there spelling, typo, or other OBVIOUS editing problems? • Are there grammar, clarity, or other INCORRECT wording problems? • Are the citations CLEAR, CONSISTENT, and USEFUL for the audience? • Are there no formatting typos? • Does the report’s organization and formatting clearly match the audience and the document goal? • Are the visuals presented with CLEAR context to achieve SPECIFIC goals?

5. editing advicesome REMINDERS Use a template for group documents Delegate responsibilities by skills and abilities For Formatting: who’s best at fiddling with MS Word? For Writing: who’s best at banging out rough drafts? For Editing: who’s best at fixing grammar and style problems? For Proofreading: who’s got the best eye for fine details? Plan and organize to GET HELP from outside sources Why edit yourselves if you can get someone else to do it?

6. editing adviceedit PRACTICALLY Don’t jam a square person into a round-shaped slot Make certain you delegate responsibilities BY ABILITY Don’t overload ONE person with A HUGE workload Make certain you delegate group work FAIRLY Realize that there are lots of little jobs that folks can do PLAN to get the most out of EACH group member IF you’ve been managing the project using a DETAILED PLAN that everyone agreed to at the beginning, then it should be very clear if a group member is creating problems MANAGE these people using the persuasion tools you’ve got (progress reports, requests for help, outside intervention)

7. editing adviceoffer the CLIENT some INVOLVEMENT IF you have a responsive client: Give them an in-progress draft Do this in a CONVENIENT way (give ‘em time, make it easy for ‘em, etc) Invite their input and advice IF you have a non-responsive client: Give them an in-progress draft anyway Make it clear that you don’t REQUIRE or EXPECT feedback Simply giving the opportunity for input can help manage client expectations IF you have a difficult client (clear from previous interactions): You might need to creatively finesse opportunities for “input” IF you are CERTAIN you can very politely and “accidentally” make it difficult for client to take advantage of input opportunities, then consider trying some sophisticated client management IF you are NOT CERTAIN you can finesse the client to create the illusion of input opportunities, then just be VERY CLEAR to the client about what they will be getting and hope for the best

8. editing adviceprevent CATASTROPHE SAVE EVERYTHING hardcopies computer files email exchanges research notes meeting notes You never know what might be surprisingly useful, and computer storage space is cheap It is very rare that a computer meltdown will set your whole apartment (or office) on fire, and hardcopies can’t get accidentally deleted

9. group management advicepersuade GOOD EFFORTS 1. REMIND group members of exactly what they agreed to do and by when (UTILIZE a detailed group work plan) 2. MAKE IT CLEAR that failing to honor commitments will carry consequences (UTILIZE persuasion tools – weblog, progress reports, etc) 3. CARRY THROUGH on your responsibility to describe the group work process in an honest, professional, and responsible manner (this is PRACTICE forfuture situations) 4. REMEMBER that I am here to help (USE experience and expertise when it is offered)

10. portfolio assignmentREMINDERS DO NOT procrastinate on this until the last minute • AT LEAST figure out how to use wordpress • Procrastinating will turn this into a nightmare assignment DO get feedback • Read the directions carefully • Come up with an audience/goal idea and TALK TO ME • Create a few reflection posts and SHOW ME • Finalize a design and organization strategy and SHOW ME LOOK at the blog list and talk to me if yours is not linked • Lists must be COMPLETE and CORRECT by semester’s end

11. The rest of TODAY questions? work on group report project work on individual portfolio project