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Jessica Coles

Alone at the Intersection of Editing and Engineering

icon showing a pencil between two gears to represent engineering in-house editing

This post is part of a new series of case studies by and for in-house editors. The focus of this series is on the personal experiences and various roles of in-house editors. A post will appear on the Editors’ Weekly every other month. If you’re interested in writing a post for this series, please email the Member Services Committee. 

icon showing a pencil between two gears to represent engineering in-house editing
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“Good morning! Can I use single quotes if I’m summarizing what someone said?” This email arrives from one of my favourite co-workers, and it is a typical Anders question.

I reply. “No. You shouldn’t use quotation marks if it’s not a direct quote.”

He persists. “Yes, I know. That’s why I was half quoting.”

For 12 years, I’ve been the only official editor at an engineering consulting company. It means I get to field every silly and serious question about writing, grammar, usage and punctuation. It means I have the privilege of guarding our corporate style guide, which was originally written by senior engineers. To my co-workers, I am the sole language expert. For me, that perception brings responsibilities.

I need to offer informed, supportable advice, and there is no one there who is knowledgeable enough to question my decisions.

Some days I find it empowering. Some days it’s frightening. I am the sole arbiter of writing style. Who can challenge my authority? Wait—who can challenge my authority? I didn’t earn this position. Do I have a Dunning–Kruger effect? Can you have that and imposter syndrome?

It’s daunting to have no one handy to confer with when the rules aren’t certain, but I have the same industry style guides as every other conscientious editor. While I don’t always feel like an expert, I know where and how to check in on the experts and come to a decision that makes sense for my writers.

It’s up to me to revise the corporate style guide sensibly and consider how changes affect writers.

When I revise the style guide, I need to balance changing standards in the editing industry with what’s worth enforcing. I also need to recognize that my preferences (OK, pet peeves) are secondary to what is simplest for my writers. The company will not fold based on whether we prefer “gray” or “grey,” but its reputation will shine brighter if we eliminate biased language and follow plain language principles.

Besides, the final check on documents often falls to administrative assistants. Their job involves some copyediting and proofreading, but they are rightly cautious about possibly changing the meaning of the text. The style guide needs to give them enforceable guidelines that don’t overstep their comfort or authority.

I need to frame my knowledge in language that makes sense to non-editors doing editing work.

I once tried to explain passive and active voice to a hydrogeologist by using the terms agent, subject, and object. He stopped me after about a minute. With his smooth Scottish lilt, he said, “I absolutely get that you know what you’re talking about. But I haven’t understood a word you’ve said.”

(Now you know how I feel about hydrogeology talk, buddy.)

My co-workers’ knowledge of grammar and writing often comes from high school, or maybe one semester of basic English instruction in university. Some of them have ingrained prejudice against editing jargon. The lightbulb moment when someone finally gets a writing convention they’ve been struggling with for years pays back my efforts several times over.

The responsibilities are light compared to the rewards. I am valued for my expertise, and I’ve developed deep relationships with the writers I edit. And, if nothing else, I can always look forward to Anders’s unique writing challenge of the day.

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About the author

Jessica Coles

Jessica Coles is a technical/corporate editor from Edmonton, Alberta. She’s proud to be one of the twig coordinators for Editors Edmonton

6 Comments on “Alone at the Intersection of Editing and Engineering”

  • Anita Jenkins

    says:

    “Like.” I also like that Edmonton editors are becoming so prominent in our association. President, western rep, blog editor and several blog contributors!

    Reply

    • Jessica Coles

      says:

      I love all the representation, too. We’re a tiny but mighty twig. 🙂

      Reply

  • Tim Green

    says:

    I feel your pain… and the joy. I am an editor AND an engineer. Many people seem to find that an illogical conflict; I’m not sure why. Lexical engineering is something both editors and engineers can understand and share.

    In some ways, language is like software. There is a structure and syntax, modules and macro definitions. And consistency is important. Badly written software fails. (Ask Boeing.) Most engineers get that.

    Or building a document is just like any other building project. It requires an outline (the plan). Then decisions on numbering, headings, and fonts (that’s the design). A Word styles template filled with lorem ipsum is really useful (the prototype) and then one can fill in the content (actually do the building).

    Most engineers understand the importance of not reinventing the wheel. That leads to a healthy respect for style guides and appreciation for a good lexical toolbox. Real examples of unhappy consequences of using lexical engineering tools (e.g., serial comma, passive voice) badly are quite useful in making the lesson stick.

    We all know as writers and editors to consider the audience. Getting the message through to the engineering audience might just require a little more work to find the common ground. Sounds like you’re doing a great job at that!

    Reply

    • Jessica Coles

      says:

      I’m lucky to work with people who respect specialized knowledge and prefer to divide labour. They’re happy to leave the editing to me, and I do my best to keep their trust in my skills. But you’ve given me a good idea to weave in more of their jargon (as best I can) when I’m trying to explain how to edit. Thanks, Tim!

      Reply

  • This is an intersection I know well, Jessica. I agree with your take on style guides: “The company will not fold based on whether we prefer “gray” or “grey,” but its reputation will shine brighter if we eliminate biased language and follow plain language principles.”

    About a decade ago, I compared one of my client firms with Canadian publishers and found that at least one environmental consulting firm had more full-time editors (and published more words) than any Canadian publisher.

    Technical editing offers the added bonus of working with writers, not authors. Engineers use writing as tool for winning work and completing projects. They have egos, as all writers do. But they know that being successful matters more than winning an argument with their editor.

    Reply

  • Jessica Coles

    says:

    I have always enjoyed the ego distance that corporate/technical writing allows for both writers and editors. We’re not publishing masterpieces, and that lets us all relax a little. They need to work within a corporate voice and deliver specific information, and I need to give priority to their technical knowledge and professional credibility. My work is always satisfying, even if it’s rarely inspiring. 🙂

    Reply

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