Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the concepts that underlie all editing regardless of the medium and organize all our chapters around these concepts: Priority, Community, Clarity, Unity, Contrast, and Beauty. It details the authors' conceptual approach and introduces the audiences' need for accurate, useful information in order to function as citizens in a democracy. The book discusses the language and construction of better, more poetic headings in a variety of media. It covers the primary word editing areas necessary for unity and clarity: punctuation and English basics. The book deals with typography and emphasizes how editors work with typefaces to provide unity throughout a publication and to place emphasis by building in typographical contrasts. It also focuses on information graphics and the importance of presenting data clearly.