Working with a ClientENG353

Analysis and Evaluation

Analyze Content

OrganizationVisual designStyleIllustrations

Objective/Deliverable Following your analysis, you make your

objectives. EX: Edit style to insure consistency

The product you deliver the client is your deliverable—the finished edited product.

Schedule/Responsibilities

Categorize your tasks. EX: Editing text, production (preparing pages0 EX: Meeting with client

Preliminary meeting Develops shared understanding

Scheduling due dates Work backward from necessary date and

stagger due dates. Tracking the document

Report Received Copyedited Writer proof Editor’s check Final revisions

The Contract Editing agreement

Document title Date submitted Date due Length Form submitted Visuals …

The Contract, Cont Editing required Spelling, grammar, punctuation Consistency Match of cross-references, figure nos., etc. Completeness of parts Accuracy of terms, numbers, etc. Visuals …

More on the Contract Organization Document Design Style: tone, diction, sentence structure,

globalization Copymarking for graphic design Preparation of production-ready pages Preparation of production-ready visuals

Still more… Online editing acceptable? Estimates of time: hours working days Milestone (review) dates Handoff date Intellectual property Conditions, if any

Assessing time Examples

Step-by-step procedures—4–5 hrs per procedure

Glossary terms/defs.--0.75 hours per term Reference topics—3-4 hrs. per topic

Revising existing text—1-3 hrs per page Editing—6-8 pages per hour Project management—10-15% of all other

activities

Sampling Averages of time should be accompanied by

reviews of sample pages. To do this—

1. Skim entire document to determine number of pages of text, illustrations, etc.

2. Edit sample pages (Ex: the first 2 or 3 pages of two chapters & pages with technical information)

3. On the basis of the time it takes you to do this work, estimate the entire editing job.

Conferencing Face-to-face meetings ideal Set the tone for your relationship If heavy editing, additional conference Nonverbal cues to diminish anxiety—

nodding of the head, smiling

Conferencing II Before you meet, create plan and goals.

An overview statement Identify topics and goals

Review of edited document Don’t have to call attention to every

emendation Goal—Verify your editing is correct for client

Conferencing III Keeping a good relationship

Active listening “Are you saying that…” “Please go on…” “Please explain how…” “How does this point relate to…”

Conferencing III Keeping a good relationship

Active listening “Are you saying that…” “Please go on…” “Please explain how…” “How does this point relate to…”

Conferencing IV Use positive language

Instead of “wordy”—

Instead of “poorly organized”—