Tips for Editing CTR Reports
For general information or any questions proofing and copyediting reports, including deadlines and procedures, please call the CTR Production Office.
- Be sure to read page 9 of the CTR style guide, regarding stylistic issues. Editors should mark text for correctness and internal consistency of style within each report. One CTR report does not have to be stylistically exact to the next accept for matters addressed in the CTR style guide. Note that “stylistic issues are almost never presented as necessary changes.”
- Always use TxDOT rules for numbers. These are outlined on page 32 of the CTR style guide. In general, numbers under 100 are spelled out except in the case of measurements or instances of time.
- Use TxDOT rules for percent/%. The CTR style guide (page 35) states that numerals are always used with the word percent, and that TxDOT accepts either the symbol or the word in text. This rule has been updated by TxDOT. TxDOT now prefers that percent be spelled out in text and the symbol be used for data with tables, charts, and formulas. Numerals should still be used with both the word and the symbol. (This new rule will be reflected in future versions of the style guide.)
- Do not
change “data” to “datum.” TxDOT has
adopted the practice of using “data” for both the
singular and plural forms. This practice is discussed briefly
in the CTR style guide, page 19. In light of this, editors should
also use great care in marking verbs to agree with “data”
either as a singular or plural noun. In most cases it is best
to leave the verb of “data” unmarked.
- Page numbers on the side of a landscape oriented page are acceptable, so there is no need to mark them for change.
- In most cases do not change “Figure” or “Table” to lowercase.
- When editing electronically, do not make any formatting changes to the document. Any changes that cannot be marked in the electronic file should be marked on the hard copy.
- When editing electronically, be sure to check the hard copy for problems in the graphics and illustrations.