If you open a book and find that each article or chapter had a different layout, as a reader you find it unappealing.

The importance of adhering to style points lies in the fact that a reader’s mind loves consistency. Style guides are often presented to copyeditors working with multiple clients with different layout specifications. Copyeditors are perhaps most aware of this. The second level to King’s toolbox contains elements of style. While grammar and vocabulary form the base of proper copyediting, it makes sense that these two attributes are level one essentials in the mental tool box of any copyeditor. Grammar forms a similar yet more elaborate role in the task of copyediting. Certain words may not convey the exact meaning the author intends to convey and hence requires the intervention of a copyeditor. Every word has significance and at times, the trickiest part of copyediting can be deciding whether a word does indeed belong where it is. Likewise, these two components form the first level of King’s tool box. While his advice largely caters to writers, it must be kept in mind that editing is a huge part of any writing process.įor an editor, the two most crucial components of a manuscript are vocabulary and grammar.

This advice triggered King’s Tool Box theory. When King questioned his uncle’s need for the entire box his Uncle explained that no one could ever know what other jobs one might find to do or what tools one would need to finish the job. His uncle had insisted on carrying a large and heavy tool box yet the only tool that was needed to fix the problem was a screwdriver. Stephen King, in his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft reminisces about the time when he helped his uncle fix a window screen as a child. So how can copyeditors ensure their manuscripts make for an enjoyable reading experience? If a reader has to focus on the quality of one’s writing while reading a story, then the author and editors most likely have not done something right. A well-written and well-edited book will capture the attention of the reader as it takes them on a journey in their minds without potential hiccups that may distract the reader. The biggest compliment an author can receive is based on their immersive story line. Loud “How wonderfully written this book is!” Have you ever enjoyed a novel that turned

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