Copy-Editing Services

Copy-Editing Services

Copy-editing services (light or sentence-level editing) focus on both the big picture and the small details, examining the material as a whole while addressing flaws on a very technical level. As such, it is meticulous work which has to take into account the overarching themes or topics being developed within your manuscript or document.

The copy-editing task includes all aspects of proofreading with the added responsibility of ensuring style consistency. A copy editor also checks for overall consistency in spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting and tone, and then makes essential corrections.

In addition, the copy editor makes improvements to the quality of the text, such as rephrasing to enhance flow and clarity, and may even suggest rewrites to the author. The aim is to ensure the intended message is clear, concise and suited to the target audience.

Attention is paid to the choice of words, the length and structure of sentences, the arrangement of paragraphs, completeness and the overall structure of the piece. This activity also analyses the document structure for the typesetter or designer.

Copy editing checks for continuity errors and timeline discrepancies, and makes sure that all loose ends are tied.

If included in the project’s scope, a copy editor will check facts and point out material that could be considered libellous. This process picks up factual errors, ambiguities and anomalies in the text, and alerts the client to possible legal problems.

In brief, the copy-editing process takes the raw copy or text and makes it ready for publication, ensuring that whatever is published is accurate, easy to follow, fit for purpose and free of error, omission, repetition and inconsistency.