copyedits
Corrects before publishing
Copyedits refers to the detailed corrections made to written text before publication—fixing spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency.
As a verb, to copyedit is to make such corrections: She copyedits manuscripts for a living.
The work falls between writing and proofreading, focusing on clarity and correctness rather than content or final typographical errors.
Alterations to improve
- amendmentsFormal changes to documents
- adjustmentsChanges to improve fit
- modificationsChanges to existing things
- rectificationsActs of correcting errors
refinements · emendations · rewording · alterations · fixes · rephrasing · redrafting · markup
Original text before publication
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- typesettingArranging text for print
- galleyOnboard food preparation area
- prepressPrint preparation stage
pagination · folio · recto · verso · blueline · signature · gutter · bleed
Publication formatting rules
- house styleConsistent editorial conventions
- standardizationImplementing uniform technical specifications
- uniformityState of being identical
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
conformity · continuity · terminology · spelling conventions · serial comma · abbreviations · formatting · capitalization rules
Ease of understanding text
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- simplificationMaking something less complex
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- tighteningMaking less loose
restructuring · word choice · concision · flow · transitions · awkward phrasing · ambiguity · redundancy
Rules for arranging words
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- subject-verb agreementMatching noun and predicate
- tensesTime markers for verbs
- modifiersTerms that adjust others
prepositions · articles · pronouns · dangling participles · split infinitives · comma splices · run-on sentences · parallelism
revisions
Alterations to improve
- amendmentsFormal changes to documents
- adjustmentsChanges to improve fit
- modificationsChanges to existing things
rectifications · refinements · emendations · rewording · alterations · fixes · rephrasing · redrafting · markup · strikethrough
manuscript
Original text before publication
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- typesettingArranging text for print
- galleyOnboard food preparation area
prepress · pagination · folio · recto · verso · blueline · signature · gutter · bleed · layout
style guide
Publication formatting rules
- house styleConsistent editorial conventions
- standardizationImplementing uniform technical specifications
- uniformityState of being identical
alignment · conformity · continuity · terminology · spelling conventions · serial comma · abbreviations · formatting · capitalization rules · cross-references
readability
Ease of understanding text
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- simplificationMaking something less complex
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
tightening · restructuring · word choice · concision · flow · transitions · awkward phrasing · ambiguity · redundancy · verbosity
syntax
Rules for arranging words
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- subject-verb agreementMatching noun and predicate
- tensesTime markers for verbs
modifiers · prepositions · articles · pronouns · dangling participles · split infinitives · comma splices · run-on sentences · parallelism · homophones