I’m a big believer in edit first, post second.
Of course, as a copy editor, I ought to be. And if my profession didn’t convince me of the necessity of a second set of eyes on my copy, re-reading my personal email would. Many a time have I cringed when re-reading a long email I’ve already sent. It’s difficult to see your mistakes in the heat of composing.
I understand that there are times you need to get breaking news out right away, and big hands make mistakes on small smartphone keyboards. But in most cases, there’s time to have someone else read your copy before you post or at least look over your shoulder before doing the big breaking news tweet.
I’m not the only one cringing. ACES-sponsored research presented at the 2011 conference in Phoenix shows readers, especially those who follow the news closely, prefer professionally edited articles.
If you really want to know what news readers think about grammar and writing errors, read the comments under the stories. There are plenty of commenters who delight in pointing out the miscues of both reporters and fellow commenters.
Still think people just ignore grammar and spelling errors on the web? Consider this. Recently, I was reading an article on a website about upcoming text changes in the Catholic church’s liturgies. The first comment listed was this: “Please fix the misuse of ‘their/there’ in paragraphs 19 and 25.”
It’s nice to know some people still care.
Great, now tell my bosses.
What Mike said.