
Copy Editing
Copy editing is a most important and time-consuming task for those involved in the field. It requires the sensitive
editorial handling of print material of every kind. And it requires the editor’s close attention to a document’s every detail, its format, and all of its elements; a thorough knowledge of what to look for and of the style to be followed as desired by the author or client; and the ability to make quick, logical, objective, justifiable, and defensible decisions in the correction of spelling, grammar, punctuation, terminology, sentence structure, clarity, conciseness, tone and voice, inconsistencies, and typographical errors. Valued editors are those who know
editorial and factual things that others don’t know and who offer keen understanding of an author’s need to advance communication.
To begin with, copy editors are thoroughly familiar with and comfortable applying the universally accepted
editorial and typographic marks and symbols&ndashas described in the Chicago Manual of Style and summarized under proofreader’s marks in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition&ndashthat are commonly understood by compositors working in English.