Because of a brand new software program program referred to as AP StyleGuard, human intervention in enchancment of written content material is now not essential. All editors, please clear out your desks and report back to Human Assets on your exit interview in 5 minutes; HR workers will present details about career-change counseling on request.
That’s a joke, people. (So’s the headline.)
However StyleGuard is reality, not fiction: The Related Press introduced it final week in a press launch. In response to the discharge, the plug-in “is comparable in performance to Microsoft Phrase’s spelling and grammar proofing instruments and intuitively checks Phrase paperwork for the AP Stylebook’s elementary spelling, language, punctuation, utilization, and journalistic model tips.”
That’s all effectively and good — simply one other layer of technological help for writers, like spell-checking features — however each editorial enhancement like this will increase the opportunity of two unlucky outcomes:
1. Higher administration will assume that such instruments obviate or cut back the necessity for flesh-and-blood-and-red-ink editors.
2. Writers will turn into much less diligent about taking duty for the standard and readability of their prose.
Name me biased, however I strongly imagine that the traditional editorial-review protocol — author, editor(s), proofreader — won’t ever exit of (ahem) model. The latter phases could be (and infrequently are) omitted, however on the expense of editorial excellence. As an editor and author, I do know all too effectively, from each views, how the dearth of an enhancing stage can have a deleterious affect on prose, or not less than end in printed errors.
Additionally, I do know that instruments can turn into crutches in the event that they supplant moderately than complement human judgment. Spell-checking and grammar-checking applications, StyleGuard, and related improvements to come back won’t ever change the author’s personal important eye (or an goal second opinion), and there may be some proof that utilizing them may cause one’s personal enhancing expertise to deteriorate. Not solely that, however much less skillful writers can overrely on such instruments, settle for their typically flawed corrections with out query, and in any other case ignore their shortcomings.
Do I exploit spell-checking? In fact. No wise author (or editor) ought to bypass the chance for its help. However I overrule it often, and I fastidiously peruse my prose (admittedly, typically not fastidiously sufficient) earlier than I submit it for publication.
Would I exploit StyleGuard? In fact — if I adhered to Related Press model. (And if I used a PC; it’s not suitable with Macs.) However I don’t. It’s excellent for writers who accomplish that, totally or with few exceptions. However AP model is very formulaic, permitting for little flexibility or ambiguity. Evaluate it with the rather more advanced (and due to this fact, for me, rather more helpful) steerage of The Chicago Handbook of Fashion. As a result of Chicago usually affords alternate options — and is rather more detailed — it’s ailing fitted to a regimented software program program.
By all means, purchase AP StyleGuard if it fits your wants. However don’t uninstall your mind.
