What are copy-editing and proofreading?
What is copy-editing?
For fiction
Copy-editing includes:
- Correcting errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Checking for very long sentences and the overuse of italic, bold, capitals, exclamation marks and the passive voice.
- Looking for changes in tense, and changes from first to third person.
- Keeping an eye on plot, pace and timeline: I will monitor the timeline to check it is accurate; I will check plot threads to ensure all are followed up (are there any holes in the plot?). Is your book one-paced or does the pace change throughout to create excitement?
- Checking point of view: does POV stay with one character throughout, or do you head-hop?
- Looking at characterisation: are your characters real? Are they believable? Do they have different voices? Is their dialogue realistic?
- Checking that the material is appropriate for the intended reader – in style, content and length.
- Creating a style sheet containing all the style decisions I have made.
For non-fiction
Copy-editing includes:
- Correcting errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Checking for very long sentences and the overuse of italic, bold, capitals, exclamation marks and the passive voice.
- Looking for changes in tense, and changes from first to third person.
- Checking that the material is appropriate for the intended reader, in style, content and length.
- Creating a style sheet containing all the style decisions I have made.
- Checking that chapter/section titles match the contents list, that illustrations match the text, and that captions are appropriate.
- Checking that references are accurate and consistently styled.
- Rewording any confusing text to clarify the author’s meaning.
- Checking that language is inclusive and appropriate for the reader.
- Checking for any legal issues.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final quality check. It includes checking:
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar
- That all running heads and footers are correct
- That the contents list matches the text
- That each page is laid out properly
- That any artwork appears properly and is in the best place
- That figure and table captions are present and correct.
For more, see editing and proofreading guidelines on the CIEP website.