Chicago Style Workout 24: Commas with Quotations and Questions
This workout focuses on paragraphs 6.43–45 in CMOS 18. Advanced editors might tackle the questions cold; learners can study that section of the Manual before answering the questions.
Am I Too Old to Copyedit? 3 Questions for Those Who Wonder
How does a professional copyeditor know when it’s time to retire? Freelancers especially may be tempted to sail on past the age at which in-house editors are encouraged to put down the red pencil. But in either case, how long is too long? Here are some questions to consider.
Chicago Style Workout 23:
Hyphens, Part 3b
This workout, the fourth (and last) on hyphenating compounds, centers on the second half of section 3, “Compounds Formed with Specific Terms,” in our extended hyphenation table under paragraph 7.96 in CMOS 18.
Jane Friedman talks about the business of being a writer
Jane Friedman has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry and formerly worked for Writer’s Digest and the Virginia Quarterly Review. Her newest book is The Business of Being a Writer. CMOS: What is the business of being a writer?
Can This Not Help But Be a Double Negative?
Double negatives come in many flavors in addition to the familiar “we didn’t find no money” type. Our friends at the website Language Log keep an archive of documented cases of “misnegation,” featuring popular head-scratchers like “I can’t help but not be X,” “I don’t doubt
Iva Cheung talks about plain language, accessibility, and cartooning
Iva Cheung is a Certified Professional Editor (Editors Canada), an indexer, a print designer, and a publishing consultant. She specializes in plain-language editing in health and is working on her PhD in mental health research. Many editors and writers are familiar with her cartoons about . . .
Three Social Media Habits for a Better World
For the purposes of this post, let’s presume that viral posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms do have influence, and that the world would be better if people considered more carefully and more often the opposing point of view. If you agree, consider three sharing practices
Alexandra Peace talks about Editors Nova Scotia
CMOS: Many of our readers might not be familiar with Nova Scotia or Wolfville. Does your location in the furthest reaches of North America present any special challenges for freelance editors? Any advantages?
Deck the Halls! A Free CMOS 17 Holiday Ornament
Every year at holiday time we’re delighted to send our readers this printable PDF that you can cut and fold to make a miniature decorative edition of The Chicago Manual of Style.
This year we’ve updated the file with
Announcing the Chicago Manual of Style Shop!
Chicago Manual of Style fans have been asking for a long time where they could buy a CMOS mug or T-shirt. We’ve always wished we could offer such items—and now we can!
Introducing the Chicago Manual of Style Shop at chicagomanual.threadless.com.
