How Does Proofreading Differ From Copy Editing?
Proofreading and copy editing are closely related editorial skills but, as this article will show, there are some important differences between them.
Copy editors become involved in the book production process at an earlier stage than proofreaders. Typically, once a book has been commissioned, a copy editor will work with the author to bring it up to a publishable standard.
That means the copy editor is likely to become closely involved in the writing of the book. In the case of a non-fiction book, she (or he) may advise the author on what to include and what to leave out, the order in which content is presented, the use of photos and illustrations, and so on.
The copy editor will also assess the quality of the writing. Where necessary, she will ask the author to rewrite certain sections where they need to be stronger. In cases where the author has tried and failed, she may also rewrite sections of the book herself.
Once the copy editor is happy that the book is as good as it can be, she will mark up any corrections to the latest version of the typescript and pass it on to the typesetter, who will prepare it for publication in book form.
The proofreader comes in once the typesetter has set the book. His (or her) job is to read the typeset 'proofs' and mark up any errors he finds. Unlike the copy editor, the proofreader is not concerned with improving the text, and it is not his role to make stylistic changes. His job is simply to look for clear mistakes (typos, omissions, and so on) and ensure that they do not make it into the finished book.
Copy editing is a more demanding job than proofreading, and it is therefore better paid. While proofreaders can get away with a few gaps in their grammatical knowledge, copy editors must be fully competent in all aspects of grammar and punctuation. Copy editors also need strong inter-personal skills, as they must forge good working relationships with 'their' authors in order to get the best out of them. They need to be tactful at times, to avoid giving the impression that they are criticizing the author's writing skills.
Many copy editors start out as proofreaders, and this can be a great way to learn the ropes and build up your confidence before moving into a copy-editing role.
About the Author: John Hamilton is Course Leader for the Professional Proofreading & Editing Course, the leading correspondence course for freelance proofreaders and copy editors, run by Maple Academy (UK). For full details see http://www.mapleacademy.com/maple.nsf/Courses/Professional+Proofreading+Course
More articles by John Hamilton
Print Article | Download PDF | 29 views | Jun 23 2008
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