Copy-editing
A copy-editor’s role, in addition to identifying and rectifying any errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and layout, is to help improve a document, article, manuscript etc. in terms of clarity, enjoyment, logic, accuracy, flow, and meaning.
When copy-editing for you, therefore, I will do my utmost to ensure the following:
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Suitability of the text for the intended audience (e.g. appropriateness of the language)
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Appropriate sentence and paragraph length (tailored to the intended audience)
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That content is ordered logically (is anything missing or superfluous? Is natural flow interrupted by any unnecessary digressions?)
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Appropriate word/page limits – some texts may need to be shortened
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Appropriate heading and sub-heading structure, creation of glossaries etc.
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Flagging up of any potential issues re copyright, plagiarism, obscenity etc.
I work either on paper using British Standards Institution (BSI) mark-up symbols or electronically using Track Changes in Microsoft Word.
Editing can involve more in-depth work, such as developmental or substantive editing. This level of editing would come earlier in the publishing process than copy-editing, and is not a service that I offer.