We can get editing tips from many places but this
one was a surprise. The Ask Marilyn column in our Sunday newspapers' Parade magazine tells us that the word theory is often misunderstood and used
incorrectly. She says that theory may mean "a set of principles that govern
or describe a body of facts" as when we say, "He is studying music
theory." She explains that when the word is used by scientists many assume
that that it means hypothesis. Not
so. She says in science "one starts with a hypothesis [but once confirmed]
that hypothesis becomes fact and is called a theory." So the theory
of evolution is not debatable in science. It is no longer a hypothesis. It is a
broad subject that has been scientifically proven, not a single, narrow fact.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults. and speaks on issues of publishing. Find her The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success (How To Do It Frugally series of book for writers)
. Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers will find lists and other helps including Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips 
on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her Sharing with Writers blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-:
2 comments:
Well, who knew? So I guess there's no need to debate the theory of evolution with those folks who just don't get it. Or is there?
Thanks for that clarification, and yes, that Marilyn really knows her stuff!
Mary Lynn, wasn't thinking of it so much to convince someone as getting the nomenclature right. (-: And I agree. No need to debate. It's like editing. People tend to believe what they want to believe.
Post a Comment