The Proof Is In The Pudding: Copy Edits & Proofreads
I regularly interact with clients who initially ask me for a proofread—but when I start reviewing their work, I realize that what they actually need is a copy edit. Sometimes it's a matter of overinflated confidence, but more often the writer has merely misunderstood the subtle nuances of editing terminology.
Below are some brief definitions of copy edits and proofreads.
Copy Edits
A copy edit involves the meticulous review of a document's grammar and usage (and sometimes style, though that mostly comes in a substantive edit). For example, an editor might look for spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, misplaced modifiers, confusing sentences, and other technical issues. The editor either corrects each problem or marks them clearly for others to review.
Proofreads
A proofread comes after the editing stage, usually just before publication. The document will often appear in its final form here—plus or minus a few small changes—with grammar and usage issues already corrected. At this point an editor will be skimming for overlooked mistakes like typos or the odd remaining grammatical error, but no serious editing should have to be done.
How Do I Know What I Need?
Ask yourself a few questions:
Has a trained editor already reviewed my text?
Have I implemented all (or most) changes suggested by that editor?
Does the document appear exactly how I want it to appear when published?
Do I feel confident about the state of the text, specifically regarding grammar, usage, style, and content?
You should be answering yes to all or at least most of those questions before you consider a proofread. Anything before that, and what you're looking for is probably a copy edit.
