Copyediting Strategies

TECM 5195Dr. Lam

Strategies for copyediting

1. Develop a methodology

2. Know (memorize!) the common errors

3. Recognize the warning signs

Develop a Methodology

• Needs to be consistent

• Edit multiple times with different things in mind each time

• E.g., read once, edit for punctuation, edit for grammar, edit for spelling, capitalization, abbreviation

• Edit for areas in which you struggle

Know Common Errors

• Punctuation errors

• Grammar errors

• Spelling errors

• Capitalization errors

• Abbreviation errors

Recognize warning signs

• Existence of any punctuation besides a period

• -ing word to start a sentence

• Embedded clauses

• Presence of that and which

• Presence of any conjunction

• What else?