Book Editing Copy Editing Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In US publishing, how is an em dash typically used?
- To indicate a range of numbers (pages 10–20)
- To indicate an abrupt break, interruption, or strong parenthetical emphasis in a sentence (Correct answer)
- To separate items in a bulleted list
- To introduce a quotation
Correct answer: To indicate an abrupt break, interruption, or strong parenthetical emphasis in a sentence
An em dash signals an abrupt break or strong parenthetical in a sentence (e.g., 'She was sure—absolutely sure—of the answer').
Question 2: What is the Oxford comma and when does Chicago style recommend using it?
- A comma after the final item in any list
- A comma placed before the final conjunction in a series of three or more items (Correct answer)
- A comma used after introductory clauses in academic writing
- A comma separating two independent clauses
Correct answer: A comma placed before the final conjunction in a series of three or more items
The Oxford (or serial) comma precedes the final 'and' or 'or' in a series; Chicago style consistently recommends its use to avoid ambiguity.
Question 3: What does a copy editor do with 'widow and orphan' lines?
- Flags them as continuity errors between chapters
- Notes them on a style sheet for the proofreader
- Flags them for the typesetter to reflow so single lines don't appear isolated at the top or bottom of a page (Correct answer)
- Removes them from the manuscript as redundant
Correct answer: Flags them for the typesetter to reflow so single lines don't appear isolated at the top or bottom of a page
Widows (single lines at the top of a page) and orphans (at the bottom) are typographic issues flagged for the typesetter to reflow during layout.
Question 4: When should a copy editor use 'which' versus 'that' in a relative clause (Chicago style)?
- 'Which' for defining clauses; 'that' for non-defining clauses
- 'That' for defining (restrictive) clauses; 'which' for non-defining (nonrestrictive) clauses preceded by a comma (Correct answer)
- They are interchangeable in all contexts
- 'Which' is used only in questions
Correct answer: 'That' for defining (restrictive) clauses; 'which' for non-defining (nonrestrictive) clauses preceded by a comma
Chicago style follows the traditional distinction: 'that' introduces restrictive clauses (no comma), while 'which' introduces nonrestrictive clauses (preceded by a comma).
Question 5: What is a 'dangling modifier' and how does a copy editor address it?
- A hyphenated compound adjective placed after the noun it modifies
- A modifying phrase whose implied subject doesn't match the sentence's actual subject; fix it by clarifying the subject (Correct answer)
- An adjective that modifies two nouns at once
- A long adverbial clause placed at the end of a sentence
Correct answer: A modifying phrase whose implied subject doesn't match the sentence's actual subject; fix it by clarifying the subject
A dangling modifier (e.g., 'Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful') has no clear subject; copy editors rewrite the sentence to make the subject explicit.
Question 6: What does 'querying the author' mean in copy editing?
- Asking the author for their email address
- Leaving a note or question for the author about an unclear passage, fact, or style decision (Correct answer)
- Sending the manuscript back without edits for clarification first
- Requesting permission to change the title
Correct answer: Leaving a note or question for the author about an unclear passage, fact, or style decision
A query is a note the copy editor inserts in the manuscript to ask the author to clarify, confirm, or resolve an issue without making the change unilaterally.
Book Editing Copy Editing Techniques 2
In US publishing, how is an em dash typically used?