Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1986

Attitude toward the Editing Process: Theory, Research and Pedagogy

Jean A. Lutz Miami University

Abstract

Some theoreticians and practitioners view editing as a superficial task, often no more than the mindless following of a set of prescriptive rules for grammar, syntax, and style. In addition, the editor-author relationship is typically perceived as an interaction between an editor and words. However, drawing upon rhetoric and cognitive psychology, I argue in this article for the complexity and importance of the editing process and the writer-editor relationship. This perspective is tentatively supported by a study of the revising and editing patterns of professional and experienced writers. The study suggests that revising and editing may be equally complex tasks. Further, the complexity increases if editors and authors discuss their changes as opposed to legislating them. Several methods for imparting this perspective and related knowledge to students are discussed.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1986-01-01
DOI
10.2190/w7ku-337w-tg20-u2h8
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy grammar and mechanics
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (7) · 1 in this index

  1. 10.1016/S0022-5371(72)80006-9
     ↗
  2. Buehler M. F., Defining Terms in Technical Editing: The Levels of Edit as a Model, Technical Communication, f…
  3. 10.2190/NETC11
     ↗
  4. (1984)
    The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Lutz (1982)
    A Comment on "Shared Responsibility: Teaching Technical Writing in the University"
    College English
Show all 7 →
  1. Mathes J. C. (1981)
    Technical Communication: Perspectives for the Eighties
  2. (1980)
    The Gypsy Scholar
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