Expert: Leslie - 10/16/2005

Question
Hi,
We write technical manuals and I don't know if this applies, but I cannot find what the proper use of or the meaning of:

1. [SIC] We see this in documents and I don't know what it means.

2. [text...] We see this where there is something missing or something assumed or something put there for clarity, especially if this inside of a quote from someone.

Thanks,

Jerry

Answer
Jerry,

The [sic] is an editor's symbol that means what was just written had a grammtical error, and the editor cannot change the error because the item was quoted.

Example: She said, "That ain't [sic] true."

The [text...] is used by the editor for clarification when the complete quote with important material is not available as part of the quote.

Example: She [the bride] was angry that she could not get the cake she wanted.

The APA rule says that if you want to insert or change text inside a quote or quoted material, the writer/editor may not change the text. The editor, however, needs to indicate that the content is not grammatically correct or be blamed for missing something, so the editor/writer inserts items in brackets. (APA rule 296).

Hope I have answered your question.

Leslie