Glossary for Writers - Working With an Editor
Writing Terminology Every Freelance Writer Needs to Know
Jun 22, 2009
Freelance writing jobs often throw up unusual terms and phrases. Anyone thinking of becoming a freelance writer, needs to become acquainted with the terminology of the professional writer’s world.
Clip
A clip, derives its name from clipping or cutting. Originally it would literally have been an article clipped out from a newspaper or magazine. Nowadays it encompasses print-out from online magazines. When writers want to show sample of their work, they will usually gather their clips in a clip packet. Clips should be pasted or printed onto a sheet of paper that also includes the date of publication and the masthead of the publication in which the article appeared.
Crib Sheet
A crib sheet normally refers to a set of concise notes that a student might make to help them to pass an exam (normally smuggled in). A crib sheet can also be known as a “cheat sheet”. In terms of article writing, a “crib sheet” refers to a sheet, or list of notes describing the magazine’s preferred style of grammar, punctuation and layout – or its house style. Most writers are acquainted with the major manuals of style which they use as a guide for grammar and punctuation; but in addition to the standard rules, many magazine have their own quirks. This guide to a magazine’s house style might be referred to by them as a crib sheet, style book, style manual, style sheet, or simply writers’ guidelines.
Courtesy Copy
Normally article writers will receive a free copy of the magazine in which an article they have written appears. This copy is known as a courtesy copy.
Galley Proof
Galleys were originally the metal trays in printing presses, into which the printers set the type in order to print a limited number of copies for the editors to check for changes. These copies were known as galley proofs and the process of checking them became known as proof-reading.
Once the editor has proof-read and marked up any changes on the galley proofs, the printers make those changes, and then the magazine or book can proceed to a full print run.
In the book publishing world, some galley proofs are given a simple binding and sent out to reviewers as ARCs or advance reading copies.
Tear Sheet
Instead of a courtesy copy, writers may receive a tear sheet of their article. A tear sheet, derives its name from the literal process of tearing out of the magazine, the page or pages on which the article appears.
Tear sheets are also used by modeling agencies to show photographs of their models, and advertising agencies to show evidence that an advertisement has appeared in an edition of a magazine or newspaper.
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