Copy editing is the process of taking a piece of written work and ensuring it is accurate and properly formatted. The process may involve fact-checking, grammar and spelling corrections, formatting changes, style clarifications and more. Copy editing helps a piece of writing conform to standards of usage and readability.
Here are the seven steps of copy editing:
Read the entire piece. Here you will review each passage as it appears in its entirety, noticing mistakes and awkward sections that may need attention.
Check for accuracy. Look over the facts and make sure all information is accurate and up to date. Look over all citations, statistics, dates, and quotes to verify their accuracy.
Revise grammar and punctuation. Review all sentences for proper grammar, verb tense usage, and common errors. Strengthen the message of each sentence and correct punctuation errors.
Check for flow and consistency. Ensure that the ideas come across clearly, and make sure any transitions between ideas flow logically.
Clarify the style. Make sure any preferences by the author and client are adhered to. Also, look for unnecessary words and make sure the writing is concise.
Check consistency in format. Review headlines, fonts, and images to make sure they match in style and follow directories.
Look for typos. Here you will check for any remaining typos or spelling errors. You may also catch any last grammatical errors or awkward phrasing.
By completing these seven steps, you'll have ensured the piece is ready for the next stage in the editing process. Copy editing is a vital part of the writing and publishing process, and well worth the time spent.
