I have been providing editing services since 2009. Services include standard copy-editing, substantive editing and rewriting and proofreading. Main clients, past and present, include the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the EU body Eurofound, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Protection, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and University College Dublin. Examples of edited published texts can be provided on request.

copy-editing

The Society for Editors and Proofreaders provides this useful definition of a copy-editor:

'A copy-editor makes sure that an author's raw text, or copy, is correct in terms of spelling and grammar and is easy to read so that readers can grasp his or her ideas. A copy-editor also tries to prevent embarrassing errors of fact, alerts the publisher to any possible legal problems and ensures that the typesetter can do a good job.'   

In line with this, copy-editing services include:

  • ensuring accurate spelling and punctuation;

  • correcting errors in grammar and style;

  • identifying internal inconsistencies and querying or correcting as appropriate;

  • addressing ambiguities and repetition;

  • raising questions of factual accuracy and consistency;

  • improving clarity and tone;

  • ensuring formatting consistency and other structural revisions as required;

  • ensuring the manuscript conforms to house style;

  • correlating parts of the document; and

  • checking permission/legal issues related to any statements or lengthy quotations.

These services are provided onscreen (using the Track Changes and Comments functions in MS Word) or in hard copy. 

 

proofreading

Proofreading takes place after copy-editing. Here the emphasis is on identifying errors that have not yet been addressed:

  • correcting remaining errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar;

  • checking numerical and alphabetical order on headings and subheadings;

  • querying obviously incorrect statements;

  • checking numbering of footnotes, endnotes, figures, tables, and pages;

  • checking headers and footers of typeset pages;

  • checking the table of contents against chapter titles and headings;

  • checking alphabetisation of bibliography;

  • ensuring consistency of style regarding spelling;

  • checking bad word breaks and column breaks;

  • identifying erroneous font changes, misalignments and inappropriate line lengths, and suggesting corrected formats;

  • checking alignment of columns in tables; and

  • ensuring that the structure of the text is logical and consistent, including the hierarchy of headings.