Copyediting

Copyediting – Characteristics Of Good Copyeditors

Copyeditors need not to be expert on every subject to become good at what they do. Good copyeditors are discerning readers and at the same time tactful critic. They spend time checking the text to show that they put the need for the perfection of detail above anything else.

Good copyeditors also have the heart not to antagonize the writer’s work by incorporating unnecessary changes. Moreover, they try their best to arouse their interest on each given topic so they’ll learn to place themselves on the readers’ position.

Copyeditors of good quality also help provide insights for designers and typesetters by making the writer’s intention clear. Copyeditors, aside from writers, are the only persons who see the copy of the text before it is published. Hence, copyeditors are quite familiar of the writer’s purpose behind every word in the text.

Copyediting – Other Things To Do To Become A Good Copyeditor

Communicating with the author or the writer of the text is rudimentary in copyediting. Hence, it is a standard operating procedure to contact the author, introduce yourself, and explain the amount and the degree of work you’ll be doing. The latter might include the issues you’ll be addressing as a copyeditor.

Then ask of the author’s time availability as well as the contact numbers and e-mail addresses. After that, the copyeditor has to present the proposal on some of the major changes before doing the task. The changes, of course, will depend on the agreement between the writer and the copyeditor.

Consulting the author even about the smallest changes is important. Some authors feel violated when not being informed about such changes. Some may even insist on retaining the original work. This does not only delay the task but it may also tarnish the relationship of the copyeditor and the author.

Lastly, triple check the text for consistency in detail. Things that need consistency include the spelling, accent, hyphenation, and capitalization. These elements may seem trivial, but it is necessary in building credibility.