What is copyediting?

Copyediting is a detailed review to correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency. It also addresses sentence structure and refines phrasing to make the material easier to read.

The levels of copyediting are closely related. Sometimes budget or time constraints determine the level, but it typically depends on the shape of the document. At any level, copyediting includes at least two reads, per industry standards.

Light copyedit

This level is used when the content is in good shape, but a trained eye is needed to catch technical errors or typos. It corrects the basic mechanical elements, such as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and indisputable grammatical errors. Excessively wordy patches and style inconsistencies are pointed out but not revised.

Medium copyedit

This level is used when a bit more work is needed to improve flow, clarity, and conciseness. It includes the elements of a light copyedit plus corrects all grammar, word usage, and sentence structure. Words are rearranged for better flow, redundancies are removed, and wordy patches are revised. Text is aligned to a particular style guide, and figures and tables are checked against references within the text.

Heavy copyedit

This level is used when heavier revisions are needed to improve clarity and readability. It includes the elements of the previous levels plus suggests revisions for faulty organization and gaps in logic. For nonfiction work, it may suggest topic reorganization to present a logical flow for better understanding. For fiction work, it may identify areas where dialogue is inconsistent with the character or where the story line is implausible.

Although copyediting will naturally provide adjustments in content and structure, if your work is in the beginning stages and you are looking for a thorough analysis to help shape the content, you may need a developmental editor.