Latent Print presents Styleguide Wednesday, a post each Wednesday featuring an editorial convention from the world of styleguides. View previous Latent Print moments of stylebook study and reflection here. This week features editorial interpolation.
Brackets are the preferred punctuation for editorial interpolation. Convention allows bracketed material for clarification, with occasional silent corrections, or syntactical pronouns.
The Gregg allows interpolation for clarification, ¶282; so does Chicago, 6.104, 11.68; and Einsohn, p. 210. AP states a strict standard: “Never alter quotations even to correct minor grammatical errors or word usage,” p. 207. Though later, p. 333, the stylebook allows for interpolation, in parentheses, when an explanatory editor’s note follows the story.
Clarification of quotes should be done before typesetting, but copyeditors should beware bracketed material. An interpolation misinterpreted can be a publishing embarrassment. Query the editor if interpolation seems inappropriate.
If an author’s diligence to full, clear quotes fails, a fair paraphrase is their course to safety. They should expect the editor to query. If the editor must add bracketed material, clarification should be the obvious motive.
Ever had words put in your mouth?
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