2025-11-10 – Weekly Editing News : AP's past "over" ban stirs debate

Last week in our editing community, conversations spanned a wide range of topics, from the nuances of editing academic work to practical tools for improving workflow. Members dove into the intricacies of style guides, with a lively debate about the AP Stylebook’s past ban on using “over” for numbers. There was also a rich discussion on automating tedious tasks like Bluebook citation checks in Word, which sparked interest from those looking to streamline their editing processes. Job opportunities and professional growth were front and center as well, with members considering new roles and discussing short courses to enhance skills.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Weekly Editing Jobs: Part-time teaching roles available
A fresh list of part-time teaching positions is up for grabs, sparking interest among those seeking to balance editing work with educational roles.
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Automating Bluebook checks in Word
This thread delves into ways to automate Bluebook checks, offering relief to editors tired of manual citation management.
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AP once banned ‘over’ for numbers
A look back at when “over” was shunned in numerical contexts by AP, stirring a fascinating debate on language evolution.
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Numbered steps or bullets for procedures
Editors weigh the clarity and effectiveness of using numbered steps versus bullet points in procedural documents.
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Marketing Copy Editor or Conversion Copy Editor
Members are discussing the nuances between these two roles, helping each other decide which path suits their skills.
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Short courses that sharpen headlines
Exploring courses that offer headline writing skills, appealing to those looking to pack a punch in fewer words.
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Would You Take This Job? Digital Video Editing Teacher (Part Time)
A thought-provoking discussion on whether a part-time teaching role in digital video editing fits career goals.
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Editing borderline p-values responsibly
A deep dive into the ethical considerations of editing borderline p-values in research papers.
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Firing mid-service, keeping beats clear
A debate on maintaining clarity in writing when making significant mid-service edits.
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Deep scene notes vs skimmable threads - any middle ground
Discussing how to balance detailed scene notes with the need for skimmable content that remains informative.
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Wishing you a productive week ahead. Keep the discussions going and your editing sharp.