Grammer Cop is a graduate of Penn State University
and a member of the Modern Language Association

Copy Editing

Copy editing is what most people think of as proofreading, as opposed to writing.

Copy editing ‘cleans up’ a paper by making it easier to read. This could be as simple as improving punctuation, correcting typographical errors or catching words that are used incorrectly. Copy editing makes a paper flow better, but it does not alter the content or meaning.

What does copy editing include?

Copy Editing is editing for grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics and for internal consistency of style. External consistency of style is covered under Stylistic Editing.

Some examples of what copy editing includes are:

use of to, too, two
use of apostrophes and possessives
corrections of run-ons, fragments and incomplete sentences
establishing paragraph breaks
using affect and effect correctly
identification of jargon or colloquialisms
comma placement
internal consistency of style and formatting
citation and bibliographical consistency (not to include format)
much, much more

What does copy editing not include?

Copy editing does not include the following, unless specified in advance:

metrication
providing or editing art manuscript
providing or changing system of citations
editing index
writing or editing captions or credit lines
writing running heads
placement or numbering of art or illustrations
internal consistency of facts
obtaining or listing permissions needed
providing front matter (prelims), cover copy, or CIP data
editing preface or foreword
negotiating changes with Author
seeking approvals from clients’ representatives
special production requirements

Please note that edits can be made to hard copy, electronic manuscript, or both. “Copy editing” is often loosely used to include stylistic and even structural editing, fact checking, and mark-up. It is not so used in this instance. These other tasks must be specified.

Please note that any requests should specify whether changes are to be suggested or drafted; if the latter, specify whether changes are to be made to hard copy or to the electronic manuscript.

Edited documents can be returned as marked-up hard copy (using standard proofer’s marks, Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files using “review and comment”, or as Microsoft Word documents using “track changes”. Special formats such as HTML available upon request.

ePortfolio, references and samples are available, and rates are affordable per hour, per page or per project. Long-term and ongoing projects welcome.

Send email to editor@grammercop.com to get started.