Design/Publication
Writing/Editing
Communications and marketing offers a full-range of writing services, including:
- Brainstorming
- Drafts/rewrites
- Editing/proofreading
Because of the high volume of material handled in our office, jobs often move much more quickly if we are provided with materials and rough or polished text. If you prepare your own copy, supply your draft on a disk or send it via email. We reserve the right to edit copy to fit style and space requirements.
Our office is Macintosh-driven, but we can read your PC disks or your email attachments if you enter the copy in Microsoft Word. Do not attempt to format your copy (bold typeface, multiple tabs, etc.) as this information is not saved in the translation from PC to Mac, and sometimes makes more work for the designers.
For grammar and usage, we rely on the Associated Press Stylebook and on Viterbo University's personal style. Details may be found in our online Style Guide (pdf).
Proofreading Tips
- Check all the type specs: be sure the typeface for body copy and headlines as well as the size, leading, and line length are correct on your print job.
- Read the article to see if it "makes sense": Be sure there are no words, lines, or even paragraphs of type missing.
- Read for "typos": Concentrate your proofing on individual words rather than the story as a whole. Read slowly and deliberately. Be sure to mark your proofing location in case you are interrupted. One suggestion is to put a dot at the end of each line after it's been read. This also helps you slow down so you can proof more carefully.
- Double check the spelling on all proper names: Toni could be Tony.
- Double check all telephone numbers, addresses, and other numbers. An ad or flyer is no good if a typo means the phone number is wrong and interested parties can't contact you about your service.
- Check numerical references: If the copy says there are "three berries in the pie, strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry," make sure there are three.
- Check all punctuation marks. Quotation marks and parentheses are usually in pairs. Be sure quotes are opened and closed.