Copy Editors comment on material that has had little to no editing. The piece is usually an initial draft (i.e., written in full sentences and paragraphs, organized into sections, etc.), but requires a detailed review of content, clarity, and organization in addition to Stylistic Editing. This service is also useful for academic authors interested in having their work critically reviewed before it is submitted for peer review.
Â
Copy Editors:
Correct minor mechanical issues like spelling mistakes, grammar errors, inconsistencies in style and tense, etc.
Ensure textual elements like acronyms, symbols, capitalization, spelling (American/British/Canadian), headings, numbering, etc. are consistent and accurate
Ensure the manuscript adheres to formatting or design guidelines
Remove clichés, euphemisms, and idioms from academic texts
Establish and ensure the tone, style, voice, and level of formality are appropriate and consistent
Adjust sentence and paragraph length and structure to improve clarity and reduce wordiness
Review the content to:
Identify missing information (e.g., sections, explanations, references, etc.)
Identify areas that are unclear or require further explanation
Identify data or concepts that could be presented more clearly in a different format (e.g., in a table or figure)
Ensure calculations and/or data are accurate