Why You Need a Copy Editor AND a Proofreader
If you’ve ever cringed at a misplaced comma, an apostrophe paired with an s to make a word plural or a misspelled word, you might be a proofreader.
If you’ve ever sent an embarrassing text or email thanks to autocorrect, you might need a proofreader.
But if you’re not exactly sure what proofreading is and how it’s different from copyediting, then you at least need to keep reading.
Last-Stop Editor
In its simplest, most literal form, proofreading is what happens when a printer sends you a “proof copy” of a book to read and make any formatting changes before printing a whole run of books. The manuscript has already been copyedited, formatted and designed, and it’s ready to go to print.
But sometimes in the copy editing and the design steps, errors — commonly known as “typos” — are made. Maybe Autocorrect has had its way with the text. Perhaps Spellcheck is freaking out, and squiggly lines are everywhere. Sometimes digital platforms and publishing programs don’t play nice with your word processing software and wonkified the whole article.
For all of those reasons and more, if you’re creating any kind of written content that appears anywhere either digitally or in print, you need a proofreader.
“But it was already edited!” you protest.
That’s good! But there’s a big difference between copy editing and proofreading.
What’s the Difference?
Copy editing deals with the content and the actual sentences and words that have been written. Copy editors ensure the content makes sense and flows smoothly, and all the information is clear and accurate. Copy editors click on links, make sure the right words are in the right places, and remove superfluous words or phrases. Copy editors fact-check, rework sentences, change words and make sure the copy says exactly what you want to say, exactly how you want to say it.
Then the copy goes to design.
After the content has been copy edited and designed, the proofreading step is the last thing that happens before you hit print or publish. Proofreaders don’t deal with any of the content’s substance. Proofreaders simply look for errors in five main categories: grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics and house style.
Proofreaders don’t check facts or links. They don’t reword sentences or change paragraphs. If the proofreader does see something of substance that should be reviewed, then he or she will contact the copy editor with those recommendations.
Worth It
It’s easy to skip the proofreading step because it feels so right to just run with the content. But if you do and an embarrassing mistake gets released into the wild, well, you’re going to wish you hadn’t skipped the proofreading step.
Proofreaders make sure the article is mechanically accurate, visually pleasant and consistent with your brand and style guidelines.
Oh yeah, and your proofreader makes you look good when autocorrect makes you look bad. And that’s why proofreaders are worth every penny.
This article was originally published at Shattered.biz.
