CCE Style Guides & Editorial Standards 2

Question 1

What is the correct way to handle an inconsistency in spelling (e.g., 'gray' vs. 'grey') found throughout a manuscript?

Accepted Answer

Choose one spelling based on the appropriate style guide and apply it consistently, noting the decision on the style sheet

Answer

Leave both spellings as the author wrote them

Answer

Use whichever spelling appears more frequently

Answer

Change all instances to the British spelling

Question 2

What is 'house style' in publishing?

Accepted Answer

A publisher's specific set of editorial preferences and standards that may differ from general style guides

Answer

The architectural style of the publishing company's building

Answer

A genre of writing unique to a specific publisher

Answer

The font chosen for all publications

Question 3

What is the purpose of a 'cold read' in copyediting?

Accepted Answer

Reading the manuscript from start to finish without making changes to understand its content, structure, and potential issues

Answer

Reading the manuscript in a cold room for better concentration

Answer

Editing the manuscript without reading the author's notes

Answer

Reviewing only the formatting without reading the content

Question 4

According to standard editorial practice, how should a copyeditor handle passive voice in a manuscript?

Accepted Answer

Flag excessive or unclear passive constructions but do not automatically change all passive voice to active

Answer

Change every instance of passive voice to active voice

Answer

Ignore passive voice entirely as it is a stylistic choice

Answer

Only fix passive voice in the first chapter

Question 5

What is a 'widow' in typesetting and editorial work?

Accepted Answer

A single line of a paragraph left alone at the top of a new page or column

Answer

A heading with no body text following it

Answer

A blank page between chapters

Answer

A page number that appears on the wrong side

Question 6

What is the copyeditor's responsibility regarding inclusive language?

Accepted Answer

Ensure language is respectful and unbiased regarding gender, race, disability, and other identities, following current style guide recommendations

Answer

Only change language if the author specifically requests it

Answer

Apply inclusive language rules only to nonfiction

Answer

Ignore language choices as they reflect the author's intent