Do I need a copy-edit or a proofread?
You’ve penned some text.
In publishing speak, the document you produce for this is termed ‘the copy’, hence when edits are applied we get the term ‘copy-edit’ (or when written, ‘copywriting’).
But what’s the difference between a copy-edit and a proofread?
Again, in purely publishing terms, the copy-edit comes before the near-final version of text is produced (known as the ‘proof’). It’s a review stage to pick up and correct issues with: spelling, grammar, punctuation and consistency. The copy-editor achieves this by marking up the text with the amends needed.
Then comes the proofread stage.
Once the copy-editor's changes are reviewed and incorporated, the document is then produced by the typesetter. They ensure the document looks exactly how it needs to with correct formatting and layout. This is called the ‘proof’.
Enter: the proofreader to do one final pass to catch outstanding issues. Once again, that includes checking spelling and punctuation – as well as formatting.
Won't all the fixes have been done in the copy-edit?
In theory, yes but in practice unlikely. That is because each time an edit is made there’s the risk of introducing a further error. And the copy-editor doesn’t review formatting either. It’s the proofreader’s job to spot any issues or inconsistencies with the layout and formatting, so that the final-final document is completely ready.
Why the two stages?
In print publishing, these broken out stages are vital to ensure no errors remain once the document goes to print. Otherwise, it becomes an expensive mistake to have missed something. Hence the rigour.
In the world of online copy, are these stages still as important?
Technically, yes. But a lot of spaces now mash-up the two disciplines – consciously or unconsciously.
If you’ve ever been the go-to ‘checker’ at your organisation, you’ve undoubtedly done a bit of both.
