What is Copy-editing?
Our Proofreading and Copy-editing course focuses on the difference between proofreading and copy-editing.
Here’s my summary of the difference
Some people in publishing are proofreaders and copy-editors; others stick to one side of the fence. Obviously, if you are a freelance, having both strings to your bow increases your opportunities for work. But copy-editing doesn’t suit everyone and you are often advised to start with proofreading.
This is good advice for some, but not for all. So how do you decide whether to undertake a combined course or begin with a proofreading course either by distance learning or in a seminar?
Copy-editor or Proofreader?
Copy-editing is a hands-on job: you are expected to be very confident with language and to make an author’s text as clear as possible. You do all the things a proofreader does (typos, spelling, obvious punctuation errors) and then a lot more. You are the first person to tackle the author’s raw material.
You are looking at structure, consistency, clearness of the words used, organisation and house style. You may make substantive changes to the author’s work, especially if you are asked to do a heavy edit. But you stop short of rewriting or altering the author’s voice.
This restraint can be the most difficult part of the job. At Chapterhouse, both in our seminars and distance learning courses, we show you through examples, exercises and tutor assessments how to avoid the trap of over-intervention.
Comfortable with Language?
So you are comfortable with English language. You have experience of report writing, editing or correcting other people’s work. You have composed and corrected drafts. Then copy-editing will suit you.
No one’s grammar and punctuation are perfect and we give you thorough revision. Your tutor will advise you on points which cause you trouble.
You will learn to copy-edit using simple techniques to correct text which differ from the symbols used for proofreading. We need a common “language” of correction for both jobs to avoid confusion.
Proofreading
Unlike copy-editors, proofreaders do not make major changes to an author’s work. They nit-pick their way through text which has already been tackled by the copy-editor. They will not be thanked for wading in at proof stage. They are looking for little oddments which have gone wrong in typesetting or oversights made by the copy-editor or author. They may not like what they read but it is not their job to crash in and say so at this late stage, unless they have a specific brief. A set of symbols is used to correct the text. Some are easy, others need explanation. Your tutor is always on hand to help.
Combined Course
Most students do a combined proofreading and copy-editing course. They want to see for themselves which skill suits them. They will also receive advice from their tutor on this. If they take to both, then they will market both skills, improving their chances of work. If they stick to one (it may be either) at least they fully understand the distinction and probably do a better job because of that understanding.
Of course, whatever kind of course you decide is for you, we hope it’s with us!
Personal Note
Copy-editing and proofreading give different satisfactions. Both are really enjoyable ways to make a living. After a period as a lawyer I moved into publishing in my twenties. I knew at once that I had made the right decision. I sat with a few reference books and a fresh set of proofs or a typescript. Just an absorbing task in front of me. I soon realised that I would be doing this job for some time to come. I was right!