And editor's five rules of thumb

Hi everybody,

I have read this article about any editor's job. Do you agree with the rules described?

I think number 4 is quite true.

Here is the article: An Editor's Five Rules of Thumb - Gardner Botsford on Writing and Editing - Editing at The New Yorker

I like numbers 2 and 4. As a writer, and later as a supervisor, I have written and edited many, many reports and the first impression is most important. That is what your target readers get. If it sounds bad first time around then it is bad. I don't like submitting a final version of anything important without having a competent person review it thoroughly in order to give me an honest opinion, even though I don't have to.

I couldn't agree more. Two heads are better than one...

I liked how the article described Mr. Botsford as someone with an "ability to improve their prose without imprinting his own style and tone on the copy." I think that is exactly how an editor should be.

I agree Ludmila. I think it depends on the type of writing. If someone is writing fiction, their style and tone are critical to the work. On the other hand, if someone is writing a factual article or report, they should avoid inserting their own slant, or bias, in an attempt to sway the reader's opinion (that has to be edited regardless of style or tone), while an opinion piece allows for the writer to say pretty much what he feels. A good editor knows which is which.