Wait, that doesn't work.
Typing this real fast while I scarf down some mac and cheese before class. (My dietary habits have really gone straight to hell.)
"What is that?" I hear you saying. THAT is a cite-checking binder and it is 2 inches thick of paper, and 10 hours of work SO FAR. Some advice for all you 1Ls planning your future: When thinking of taking on journal responsibilities, think of all the work you'll have to do, then multiply it by two. Because "Staff Member of ________" really means "Journal Bitch Who Does the Scut Work."
Cite-checking:
1. Find all of the sources mentioned in the citations you're checking. They must be PRINT versions or the scanned PDFs of print versions. Even in the age of the internet, there can be NO internet sources.
2. Make copies of all of those sources. However many copies you will need.
3. Separate those sources by citation. Put them in a handy tabbed binder.
4. Get out your handy dandy highlighter because now you get to find what all of the information in the article you're cite-checking refers to in the sources! Highlight all of that source material so that your editors know exactly where it came from. Also don't forget the publication/decision date, author's name, page number, and name of journal/reporter. Or you will have to go back to step 2 and make more copies.
5. Editing below and above the line. Remember my "Journal Bitch" comment above? Yep! Now you get to go through and make sure EACH of the author's citation formats are correct. For over 100 sources! Because the author is a 60 year old man who can't be BOTHERED to format his own citations. That's why we have staff members! Then you edit the actual text, to make sure there are no grammar or plagiarism style mistakes.
6. Turn in your binder to editorial board members who will inevitably tell you that you didn't do it right.
7. Wait for next hellish assignment.
It's due tomorrow and I haven't started step 5 yet.
Yep. Worst. Decision. Ever.
Anybody out there have a different/similar journal experience they'd like to share?
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