When I read Annamarie Mostert’s blog,  I was keen to understand more about the CCC model (correspondence, consistency, correctness) and how I could use it in my work as a copy editor. After reading more in one of my resources (listed below and in Annamarie’s blog), I learnt about the three areas of foundational knowledge that are key to text quality. This blog focuses on my understanding of one of these areas.

Knowledge essential to text quality

Renkema (creator of the CCC model) states that one of the main reasons information does not reach readers is the poor quality of texts. Text quality and effective application of his CCC model depend on knowledge of these three things:

  • Normative linguistics.
  • Text linguistics.
  • Document design.

As copy editors, we are all familiar with normative linguistics – the rules and conventions of language. We also understand various elements related to document design, such as text alignment, font or typeface choices, numbering and heading styles.

But what about text linguistics?

Text linguistics as a key aspect of text quality

In a single word, text linguistics is about structure. You wouldn’t structure an annual report in the same way you would a fiction novel. You would choose a specific structure for an academic article or a community newsletter based on the document’s purpose and audience.

Text linguistics recognises that there are different types of text that communicate a range of things to a variety of audiences. Using their knowledge of text linguistics, editors can play an important role in effectively linking the text to its intended audience and enhancing accessibility.

Seven principles of text linguistics

Text linguistics identifies seven principles that texts should adhere to for improved quality. Each principle is briefly explained below.

Cohesion

Cohesion is about the connection between words and sentences in a text. The meaning of text needs to be clear, for instance, by using correct grammar and punctuation or ensuring that the sentence construction does not cause confusion for the reader.

Coherence

The text must make sense to the readers. Coherence demands that different sections in the text flow logically from one to the other. Readers should be able to read comfortably or fluently, without going back and forth to check things.

Intentionality

This principle is about what the author wants to communicate and what the reader wants to know. It’s important that the needs of the author and the expectations of the reader correspond.

Acceptability

Acceptability partners with intentionality. The author wants to send specific information and the reader needs to receive it as intended. When both are satisfied or aligned, then acceptability has been achieved.

Contextuality

Every text has a context within which it is shaped and within which it will be distributed. The context of a text determines the target group, style, structure and register of the copy, among other aspects. Consider who might want to read an annual report against who might want to read a book on how to change engine oil.

Informativity

This principle considers the extent to which information is known or unknown to a reader. It’s important to strike a balance between what readers are likely to know in the text and what might have to be explained further.

Intertextuality

Intertextuality is about the genre or category of writing to which a text belongs. It should be clear to readers what sort of text they have in front of them and its relationship to other texts within the same context.  For example, self-help books are different to text books, and fiction novels different to recipe books.

Copy editors and text quality

Our task as copy editors is an expansive one. From a general opinion on the overall purpose of a text to a finely detailed line edit or proofread, there are so many aspects to consider. I found that in deliberately considering each of the principles of text linguistics specifically, as well as normative linguistics and document design, I gained an even deeper understanding of the text, what the author hoped to convey and how to play a stronger role as the copy editor in conveying this to the targeted readers.

Reference

Van de Poel, K, Carstens, WAM & Linnegar, J 2012 Text editing: A handbook for students and practitioners.  Antwerp: UPA University Press.

The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of PEG.

About Alexis Grewan

Clean copy, on time, makes sense. As an editor and writing consultant, Alexis values accuracy and upholds high standards of editing and writing practice. She is ethical, vigilant, disciplined and reliable. She is also a collaborator with a flexible style of communicating – a generally proactive engager on every level.

www.alexisgrewan.co.za

About PEG

The Professional Editors’ Guild (PEG) is a non-profit company (NPC) in South Africa. Since moving to online activities in March 2020, PEG has been able to offer members across South Africa, and internationally, access to an extensive online webinar programme. Continuing professional development remains a key offering and the first PEG Accreditation Test was administered in August 2020 to benchmark excellence in the field of editing.