Copyediting vs. Proofreading
One of the most confusing parts of the editing process for most people is simply understanding the different types of edits. Aren’t copyediting and proofreading the same thing? Nope! Although people often get them confused!
Similarities and Differences:
Both proofreading and copyediting services involve close and cautious reading of a document. A copyeditor edits for correctness of grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation, as well as accuracy, consistency, and completeness, all after the author is done writing it.
A proofreader, on the other hand, usually works on a document that has already been edited for all those errors by the copyeditor. Proofreading is basically the last step in the editorial process – the finishing quality check! Professional proofreading is really a requirement of the publisher as a quality assurance measure before printing off a mass quantity of books.
The simplest way to put this is to say that copyeditors catch and correct all the mistakes the author missed, while proofreaders catch and correct all the mistakes the copyeditor missed.
What does a copyeditor do?
A copyeditor checks for the following:
• Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations and treatment of numbers
• Correct word choices while fixing or flagging confusing phrases
• Factually incorrect statements, historical details, quotations, URLs, etc.
• Potential legal liability
• Consistency of the text and font usage
• Consistency of timeline and character details
As you see, the copyeditor’s job is not just to check grammar and spelling. He/she must ensure that every element of your document is consistent, cohesive, and complete.
What does a proofreader do?
A proofreader checks for the following:
• Any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation missed by the copyeditor
• Any awkward word or page breaks in the printing layout
• Cross-reference errors and broken links
So, as you can see, there are some overlaps in both processes. Copyediting involves a more detailed and in-depth look at the structure and clarity of the document, whereas the process of proofreading does not comprise re-writing or changing the form in which the document has been written.
Which service do you require?
It’s possible that you’ll need both services, but the decision really depends on what stage of the process you’re at. Basically, if your document hasn’t yet been edited by someone other than you, or if you expect a significant number of errors, you need a copyedit rather than a proofread. Many self-publishing authors who have had their manuscript professionally copyedited also skip the proofreading. If you’re on a budget, you might try to proofread your own work, since there won’t be as many errors to contend with at that stage. But copyediting is for sure a required step. Who wants to print off a thousand books or hand in an essay only to find that there’s a typo on page two, or a discrepancy in characters from one chapter to the other? Not you, and definitely not your reader!