Ethics in EditingHolly Satori & Austin Kaiser

What would you do?You are an editor at XYZ Engineering. Your boss

assigns you to edit the proposal for a new line of cheaper trampolines. You realize that the reason for reduced manufacturing costs is from a change in component materials. There is not a written justification for this change. You are suspicious that these materials could compromise the user safety. What would you do?

Introduction 2

OverviewLegal editingResponsibility to write clearlyStyle & ethicsClass discussion

Introduction 3

Copyright ©United States Copyright Act of 1976Cannot copy or reproduce another’s workException: U.S. government documents because

they are in the public domain

Legal editing 4

Everything is copyrightedDo not need to register with the copyright office for

protection:HomeworkWebsites

If want to use material, must obtain permissionSome reproduction is allowed in an educational

setting

Legal editing 5

Protection timeUnited States Constitution, Article I, Section 8

The congress shall have Power … To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for Limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.

If owned by author, 70 years beyond deathWorks written for hire

95 years beyond publication120 years after creation

Legal editing 6

Trademark – name or logo that stands for companies or products and cannot be used to symbolize other productsNationally ® Statewide TM

Patents protect inventors ®Trade secrets are protected. Cannot be hired and

then tell the company the secrets of previous employers

Registered material

Legal editing 7

Product responsibilitiesCompanies must label anything unsafe and provide

adequate instructionsWarning standards are created by ANSI, OSHA,

ISO, and other government agencies

Legal editing 8

LibelA statement that discredits the reputation of a

person without a fact basisLibel affects editors of fiction and popular news more

than those of non-fiction and technical documents

Legal editing 9

Traits of bad writersUnable to express what it is he or she is trying to sayUnknowingly says something they do not intendIndifferent whether their words have a meaning

“Politics of the English Language” - Orwell 10

Orwell’s writing complaintsDying and improper metaphors

“Grist to the mill”Operators or verbal false limbs

“The bike was subjected to the rain” instead of “it rained on the bike.”

Meaningless words – or too many meanings“Democracy”

“Politics of the English Language” - Orwell 11

Orwell’s rules for writingNever use a figure of speech that is already often

usedNever use a long word in place of a short oneIf a word can be cut out, then cut it outUse the active before the passiveNever use a foreign or scientific word if there is a

simpler English equivalentBreak these rules if the sentence would be terrible

otherwise

“Politics of the English Language” - Orwell 12

A good writer would ask:What am I trying to say?What words will express it?What image or idiom will make it clearer?Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?Could I put this more shortly?Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?

“Politics of the English Language” - Orwell 13

Why are Ethics Important?Need to maintain “Good” writing – ethically sound

versus pragmatically successful You risk your reputationYou must maintain the ethical foundations of a

literate society – trust is keyThose who manage our affairs have a duty to tell us

the truth as clearly as they can

14“Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace” - Williams

STC’s Ethical Principlesfor Technical Communicators

LegalityHonestyConfidentialityQualityFairnessProfessionalism*These guidelines draw on general values, laws, and expectations for professionals

15Ethical editing

Bases for Ethical DecisionsConsequences The lawProfessional standardCommon practicePrinciples

16Ethical editing

Unethical ExamplesMisrepresentationSafety compromises Breaches of privacy *These are all unethical and not negotiable

Using language instead of logic to establish your argument

17Ethical editing

Intended MisdirectionWhen the writer intentionally deflects responsibilityThe choice of subjects is crucial in order to be clear

and honest

Example:

With over two million automotive customers serviced last year in California alone, mistakes may have occurred.

18“Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace” - Williams

Stylistic Manipulation“More than appeal is at stake”

Example:

Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds distrust one another because they have engaged in generations of cultural conflict.

Generations of cultural conflict have caused distrust among Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds.

19“Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace” - Williams

Necessary ComplexityWriters with complex style - how do you respond?We owe readers an ethical duty to write precisely

and with clarity

“Whatever can be thought can be thought clearly; whatever can be written can be written clearly.”

20“Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace” - Williams

Things to RememberStay informed

Review copyright and other laws of writing

Respect stakeholdersWrite to others as you would have others write to you

Encourage company policiesExpect people to practice with the utmost legal and

ethical behavior

21Ethics “Technical Editing” – Rude & Eaton

Group Discussion“Check user manuals, appliances, and power tools

that you own to see how manufacturers have met their duty to instruct consumers in safe use and to warn them of dangers. Evaluate whether the instructions and warnings might be improved.” - From text Technical Editing

Discussion 22

Example 1: Nail Polish Remover (Shopko)(Front) WARNING: EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE KEEP

FROM FLAME(Back) WARNING: Extremely flammable. Liquid and

vapors may ignite. Do not use when smoking. Do not use or store near fire, flame or heat. Keep out of eyes. In case of eye contact, immediately flush eyes with water, remove any contact lenses and continue to flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Contact physician. Harmful if ingested. In case of accidental ingestion, give fluids liberally and consult with local POISON CONTROL CENTER. Harmful to synthetic fabrics, wood finishes and plastics. Keep out of reach of children.

Discussion 23

Example 2: Baby Powder (Johnson's)For baby, use after every bath and diaper change, to make

your baby's skin soft and smooth. JOHNSON'S Baby Power's natural softness helps prevent chafing. For you, use every day to help feel soft, fresh, and comfortable.

DIRECTIONS: Shake powder into your hand and smooth onto skin. Store in a cool dry place.

WARNING: For external use only. Keep out of reach of children. Close tightly after use. Do not use on broken skin. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep powder away from child's face to avoid inhalation, which can cause breathing problems.

Do not use if quality seal is broken.Legal editing 24

Visual design with labelsHow does the design affect the ability to read the

label?Is the label legible?Can information be easily found?How could it be better designed to make it more

useful?

Legal editing 25

iPod shuffle

Discussion “15 Stupidest Warning Labels” 26

Clothing label

Discussion “15 Stupidest Warning Labels” 27

Instructions

Discussion “15 Stupidest Warning Labels 28

Dog medicine

Discussion “15 Stupidest Warning Labels” 29

References“15 Stupidest Warning Labels.” Oddee. (2007).

<http://www.oddee.com/item_88437.aspx>Orwell, G. (1946). The Politics of the English

Language. London: Horizon.Rude, C. D., & Eaton, A. (2011). Technical editing.

(5th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.Williams, J. M. (2007). Style: Lessons in Clarity and

Grace. (9th ed.). NY: Pearson, Longman.

30References