The article emphasizes the importance of mechanical fixes in copy editing, arguing these are objective errors in grammar, punctuation, and word choice, as opposed to stylistic edits. It introduces a grammar test with 15 passages that contain two mechanical errors each for readers to identify. The piece highlights that these errors are easily spotted by skilled editors and can affirm the writer's competency. Additionally, it touches on the experience of Bryan A. Garner, a prominent figure in legal writing education.
The mechanical fixes that copy editors make aren't just matters of opinion: They're clear-cut matters of right and wrong involving blunders in grammar, punctuation and word choice.
What many legal writers don't realize is that these mechanical errors are readily identifiable to the skilled eye—that is, no competent copy editor would let them pass.
Try your hand. Warning, though: You'll need a quiet place where you can concentrate. Remember: Each sentence has two correct answers and two others that are quite wrong.
Since founding LawProse Inc. in 1990, Bryan A. Garner has trained more than 265,000 lawyers and judges in advocacy and legal drafting.
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