If you look online for information on copyediting, you'll find articles about the 5Cs of copyediting. You're also likely to come across phrases like developmental editing, substantive editing, content editing, line editing, and such. You can spend many a wasteful hour online down the editing 'rabbit hole'!

 

In short, copyediting focuses on the detail of a text, ensuring it reads well and uses consistent language and format.   

 

For me, copyediting is simply about making the text the best it can be.
 

If you engage my services as a copyeditor – allowing for the practical considerations of time and budget – making your text the best it can be will be my goal. 

 

Here are some of the typical tasks I will do:

 

-  Correct spelling or grammatical errors.

-  Suggest changes to improve clarity and understanding.

-  Check basic facts. 

-  Query anything that may be problematic, such as using non-inclusive language.

-  Point out style inconsistencies, for example, when using italics, bold or capital letters. 

-  Remove unwanted formatting or spaces.

-  Adhere to any style guide provided.

 

Copyediting is time-consuming, so the level of editing I do – light, medium or heavy – will depend on factors such as your schedule, budget and the text's complexity. 

 

Want more information on what to expect when engaging a copyeditor?

Read What is copyediting? on the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading – it's an excellent source of information.

 

And in case you're interested, 'copy' is the technical term (jargon – yeuch!) for any published text. I'm not a fan of jargon, though, so I avoid using it wherever possible.

And the 5 Cs of copyediting – clear, correct, concise, comprehensible and consistent. Now, I've saved you from wasting hours down that internet rabbit hole!