Dreyer's English

1. Master the Fundamentals: Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation

"I hate grammar. Well, OK, not quite true. I don't hate grammar. I hate grammar jargon."

Understand the basics. While grammar jargon can be intimidating, mastering the fundamentals of spelling, grammar, and punctuation is crucial for clear communication. Focus on practical application rather than complex terminology.

• Key areas to master:
  • Correct spelling of commonly misspelled words
  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Proper use of pronouns
  • Sentence structure and parallelism

Develop a habit of consulting reliable resources like dictionaries and style guides when in doubt. Remember that even experienced writers make mistakes, so cultivate a keen eye for detail and be willing to double-check your work.

2. Embrace the Art of Copyediting: Listen to the Author's Voice

"Copyediting is a knack. It requires a good ear for how language sounds and a good eye for how it manifests itself on the page; it demands an ability to listen to what writers are attempting to do and, hopefully and helpfully, the means to augment it."

Copyediting is empathy. A good copyeditor must develop a sense of empathy for the author's voice and intentions. This means not just correcting errors, but enhancing the writer's message without altering their unique style.

• Key copyediting skills:
  • Attentive reading and comprehension
  • Sensitivity to tone and style
  • Ability to suggest improvements tactfully
  • Balancing correctness with authorial voice

Practice reading a variety of texts critically, paying attention to how different authors express themselves. When editing, strive to make suggestions that align with the author's goals and enhance their work rather than imposing your own style.

3. Wield Punctuation with Precision: Commas, Semicolons, and More

"If words are the flesh, muscle, and bone of prose, punctuation is the breath."

Punctuation guides readers. Proper use of punctuation is essential for guiding readers through your text, conveying rhythm, emphasis, and meaning beyond the words themselves.

• Key punctuation rules to master:
  • Comma usage, including the Oxford comma
  • Semicolon vs. colon
  • Em dash for emphasis or interruption
  • Quotation marks and dialogue punctuation

Experiment with different punctuation to see how it affects the flow and meaning of your sentences. Read your work aloud to hear how punctuation influences the rhythm and clarity of your prose.

4. Navigate the Nuances of Numbers and Proper Nouns

"If it starts with a capital letter, look it up."

Verify proper nouns. Accuracy in spelling names, places, and brands is crucial for maintaining credibility. Develop a habit of double-checking any proper noun, even those you think you know well.

• Areas requiring special attention:
  • Personal names and titles
  • Geographic locations
  • Brand names and trademarks
  • Historical events and figures

Create a system for fact-checking and verifying proper nouns in your work. Use reliable sources and keep a personal style guide for frequently used terms in your field or writing genre.

5. Conquer Commonly Confused Words and Phrases

"Spellcheck is a marvelous invention, but it can't stop you from using the wrong word when the wrong word you've used is a word (but the wrong word)."

Master homophones and near-homophones. Many common writing errors stem from confusion between words that sound similar but have different meanings or spellings.

• Frequently confused word pairs:
  • affect/effect
  • their/there/they're
  • its/it's
  • lay/lie
  • who's/whose

Create mnemonics or personal tricks to remember the differences between commonly confused words. Regular practice and conscious effort to use these words correctly will help ingrain proper usage over time.

6. Trim the Fat: Eliminate Redundancies and Wordiness

"There's a lot of deleting in copyediting, not just of the 'very's and 'rather's and 'quite's and excrescent 'that's with which we all encase our prose like so much Bubble Wrap and packing peanuts, but of restatements of information."

Concision strengthens writing. Eliminating unnecessary words and phrases not only makes your writing clearer but also more impactful. Learn to recognize and remove redundancies and filler words.

• Common redundancies to avoid:
  • "free gift"
  • "advance planning"
  • "end result"
  • "past history"

Practice revising sentences to convey the same meaning with fewer words. Challenge yourself to cut a certain percentage of words from your first draft without losing essential information or style.

7. Adapt to Evolving Language While Preserving Clarity

"The English language, though, is not so easily ruled and regulated. It developed without codification, sucking up new constructions and vocabulary every time some foreigner set foot on the British Isles—to say nothing of the mischief we Americans have wreaked on it these last few centuries—and continues to evolve anarchically."

Embrace linguistic evolution. Language is constantly changing, and good writers must balance adherence to established rules with adaptation to evolving usage. Stay informed about changes in language norms while prioritizing clarity and effective communication.

• Areas of evolving usage:
  • Gender-neutral language
  • Technology-related terms
  • Emerging slang and colloquialisms
  • Shifting connotations of words

Read widely and stay attuned to changes in language use across different contexts. Be open to new constructions and vocabulary, but always prioritize clarity and your audience's understanding.

8. Cultivate a Keen Eye for Detail in Fiction and Nonfiction

"Fiction may be fictional, but a work of fiction won't work if it isn't logical and consistent."

Consistency is key. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, maintaining internal consistency in details, characterization, and facts is crucial for credibility and reader engagement.

• Areas requiring consistency checks:
  • Character details and development
  • Timeline and chronology
  • Setting and world-building elements
  • Factual claims and references

Develop a system for tracking important details in your work, such as character sheets or timelines. For nonfiction, maintain thorough notes and citations to ensure accuracy and consistency in your facts and arguments.

9. Balance Adherence to Rules with Flexibility for Style

"As much as I like a good rule, I'm an enthusiastic subscriber to the notion of 'rules are meant to be broken'—once you've learned them, I hasten to add."

Know the rules to break them effectively. Understanding the rules of grammar and style allows you to make informed decisions about when and how to deviate from them for stylistic effect.

• Situations where breaking rules might be appropriate:
  • Dialogue to capture authentic speech patterns
  • Stylistic choices for emphasis or rhythm
  • Genre conventions in certain types of writing
  • Intentional use of fragments or run-on sentences for effect

Experiment with breaking rules in your writing, but always do so purposefully and with a clear understanding of the effect you're trying to achieve. Be prepared to justify your choices if questioned by editors or readers.

Last updated: November 18, 2024