Proofreading Course
The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course Blog
  • Home
  • Proofreading Course
  • About the Author
  • Reviews
    • FAQ
  • Proofreading Exercises
  • Proofreading Stuff
    • How to Become a Proofreader
    • Proofreading Marks AKA Proofreading Symbols
    • Proofreading Test
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Store

10/26/2010

Proofreaders and Copy Editors: What’s the Difference?

0 Comments

Read Now
 
I’ve received quite a few emails from people looking for clarity with regard to the above.

Hopefully, there is enough information on this website to give you an insight into what a proofreader does. But what does a copy editor do?

The reason there is often so much confusion about the responsibilities of proofreaders and copy editors is that there is a certain amount of overlap.


Often, particularly in a smaller publishing house, the copy editor will also perform the tasks normally associated with a proofreader, i.e. seeking out and rectifying inaccuracies (spelling, grammar, punctuation, arithmetical gaffes and so forth).

One simple way of creating clear blue water between the two roles is to recognise that proofreaders focus on accuracy, whereas copy editors concentrate their efforts on quality. Now, obviously, a lack of accuracy in a piece of writing will almost certainly reflect badly on the overall quality of the work, but a copy editor deals almost exclusively in terms of quality.

A copy editor will make sure a piece of writing flows, that it ‘reads well’.

A copy editor will remove clichés and redundancies.

A copy editor is likely to be far more engaged with the subject matter and may question the value of a particular sentence, paragraph, page or chapter.

Where a proofreader leaves their opinion on the doorstep and deals in hard facts, in issues of literal right and wrong, a copy editor is far more likely to make subjective value judgments and enter into debate with an author.

This latter quality, this willingness to engage and opine, whilst making for a good copy editor, explains why effective copy editors frequently make for very poor proofreaders, particularly in a fast-turnaround environment.

So, for proofreader, think ‘accuracy’. For copy editor, think ‘quality’.

I appreciate this is hardly a detailed job spec for each of these functions, but roles and responsibilities are likely to change from one publishing or media environment to the next. I think you’ll be much better armed with the general distinction outlined above than something too detailed and, consequently, inflexible.


Whether you’re looking for a career as a proofreader or a copy editor, you’ve definitely come to the right place.


Share

0 Comments
Details
    Testimonials
    “I am one of those many fools who paid a huge amount of money for a useless course. This book... has opened so many doors for me. I now look on Mike as my mentor as I embark on a career. Thank you Mike.” 
    Emma Steel, Proofreader and International Structural Editor.

    “ I thoroughly enjoyed the course and am so glad that I decided to take it... the whole experience was invaluable. My proofreading service is now well established and your course played no small part in getting it off the ground.”
    Hache L. Jones, Proofreader.

    “I'd just like to thank you first of all for writing such a great, straight forward eBook, and then going above and beyond what I would even expect as a customer by providing us, completely free of charge, updated versions months later!” 
    Rachel Gee, Trainee Proofreader.

    “What can I say? Worth every penny and then some! God Bless! This a fabulous course.” 
    Teresa Richardson, Proofreader.

    ​“As someone who has effectively been proofreading for thirty years, I found Mike’s No-Nonsense Proofreading Course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of this discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the ideal starting point, and much more besides.”

    ​Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader.

    Blog Author

    My name's Mike Sellars and I'm an experienced proofreader and the author of The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course. Click here to find out more about me.

    Proofreading Course Author, Mike Sellars
    My Google+ Profile

    RSS Feed

    The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course

    $35.00
    View Details

    A Fraction of the Cost of Other Proofreading Courses


    NOTE: Stock is currently limited to 10 per day, so we can continue to deliver exceptional after-sales service, answer queries and provide open-door support.


    • Learn to proofread like a professional
    • 30 years of experience distilled into a single easy-to-follow package
    • Over 1,000 pages of FREE bonus eBooks and learning materials
    • 30-day money-back 100% satisfaction guarantee
    • Follow my advice and you will earn your money back in just two hours!
    • Download it now and start learning and earning right away.
    • I operate a virtual 'open door' policy after purchase, generally answering any and all email queries and concerns within 48 hours and usually sooner.


    Credit card and PayPal payments accepted.


    “As someone who has been proofreading for 30 years, I found Mike’s course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of the discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it.” Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader.


    Still want to find out more? Click here.

    Proofreading Categories

    All
    A World Without Proof Readers
    A World Without Proofreaders
    Barack Obama Spelling Mistake
    Copy Editing
    Copy Editor
    Digital Proofreading
    Do Proofreaders Need Good Grammar
    Editing
    Embarrassing Spelling Mistakes
    English Usage
    Eye Care
    Freelance Proofreading
    Free Proofreading Course
    Free Proofreading Exercises
    Fun
    Grammar
    Hyphenation Rules
    If Proof Readers Ruled The World
    If Proofreaders Ruled The World
    International Proofreading
    Linguistics
    Merchandise
    Off Topic
    Off-Topic
    Online Proofreading
    Proof Reader
    Proofreader
    Proof Reader Merchandise
    Proof-reader Or Proof Reader
    Proof Readers
    Proofreaders
    Proof Readers Equipment
    Proof Readers\' Equipment
    Proofreading
    Proofreading 101
    Proofreading Advice
    Proofreading And Women
    Proofreading Careers
    Proofreading Course
    Proofreading Course Bulletin
    Proofreading Course Discount
    Proofreading Courses
    Proofreading Ebook
    Proofreading Exercises
    Proofreading Fiction
    Proofreading Job Interview
    Proofreading Jobs
    Proofreading Joke
    Proofreading Qualifications
    Proofreading Resumes
    Proofreading Scam
    Proofreading Software
    Proofreading Test
    Proofreading Testimonials
    Proof Reading Tips
    Proofreading Tips
    Proofreading Vacancies
    Punctuation
    Scam Warning
    Second Edition
    Spell Check
    Spell Checkers
    Spelling Errors
    Spelling Fail
    Spelling Mistakes
    Working From Home

    Proofreading Archives

    February 2025
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    March 2019
    February 2019
    March 2018
    July 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    August 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

  • Home
  • Proofreading Course
  • About the Author
  • Reviews
    • FAQ
  • Proofreading Exercises
  • Proofreading Stuff
    • How to Become a Proofreader
    • Proofreading Marks AKA Proofreading Symbols
    • Proofreading Test
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Store