Copy
Preparation for Layout
Before the advent of desktop computing, editors would send typewritten
copy to a professional typesetter who converted it to camera-ready text
for layout and print production. As part of the publication team, designers
were instrumental in choosing special typefaces to convey a mood or message.
Beautiful typography gave the text an image of quality and inviting readability.
Today, desktop computers and applications enable everyone to create text and
layouts. So now it has become everyone’s job to try to achieve the quality
look that a professional typesetter provided. To learn the basics of typography,
resources such as the book The Mac Is Not a Typewriter (equally fine for
PC users) can help you turn out professional- appearing text with your computer
applications. See Bibliography for more resources.
 CREATING
PROFESSIONAL-LOOKING TEXT
The computer is capable of so much more than a typewriter; this is particularly
true with punctuation marks. For example, typographer’s quotes, smart quotes,
or true quotes (“ ”) are considered professional; inch marks or straight
quotes are not (" "). To type true quotes, refer to your software manual
or the “help” function to learn the appropriate keystrokes; or, use
the automatic preference feature that sets these quotes as a default. This same
information applies to apostrophes; changing the preferences for quotes will
automatically change apostrophes from straight to true, as well.
Professional typography also makes a distinction between the uses of a hyphen
(-), an en dash (–), and an em dash (—). The “Punctuation” chapter
clarifies when each of these marks should be used. To type them, refer to your
software manual or the “help” function to learn the keystrokes.
Another holdover from typewriter text that should be avoided is using two spaces
after a period. Most typefaces on computers today use variable fonts, in which
each letter and mark take up just the space they need in contrast to the equal
spacing of letters on a typewriter. Although typewriter users customarily inserted
two spaces after a period, professional typesetters insert only one space after
a period, because the variable font makes two spaces unnecessary and creates
too large a gap.
Line spacing (called leading in typesetting) will also make a difference in the
professional look of your text. Learn how to use the line-spacing features of
your applications instead of relying on the default leading or double returns
between paragraphs. Using double returns creates large gaps that make typeset
copy look unprofessional.
These are a few of the ways to improve the appearance of the text you produce
on your computer. Learning what your software applications are capable of will
make your publications look more professional.
Back to Top
COPY
PREPARATION MARKS
Remember that copy preparation
marks are used within the typewritten manuscript, not in the margins.
Back to Top |
|
Return
to: U of M Home
.gif){kind=small}
