Editing Copy editing (section)

==Traits, skills, and training==
Besides an outstanding command of the language, copy editors need broad general knowledge for spotting factual errors; good critical thinking skills to recognize inconsistencies or vagueness; interpersonal skills for dealing with writers, other editors, and designers; attention to detail; and a sense of style. They must also set priorities and balance a desire for perfection with the need to meet deadlines.

Many copyeditors have a college degree, often in journalism, communications, or the language of the writing that they edit. Additionally, some copy editors take it upon themselves to gain a background in topics that would further help their careers. For instance, some copy editors may seek knowledge and background in statistics to help catch mistakes related to data within an article to help authors have a better chance of getting published.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Fonseca |first=Marisha |date=May 2013 |title=Does an academic copy-editor require knowledge of statistics? |url=https://ease.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/essay_statistics.pdf |journal=European Science Editing |pages=46 |via=Essay Statistics}}</ref>

In the United States, copy editing is often taught as a college journalism course, though its name varies. The courses often include news design and [[pagination]].

In the United States, The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund sponsors internships that include two weeks of training. Also, the [[American Press Institute]], the [[Poynter Institute]], the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], UC San Diego Extension, and conferences of the American Copy Editors Society offer mid-career training for newspaper copy editors and news editors (news copy desk supervisors).

Most U.S. newspapers and publishers give copy-editing job candidates an editing test or a tryout. These vary widely and can include general items such as acronyms, current events, math, punctuation, and skills such as the use of [[AP Stylebook|Associated Press style]], headline writing, infographics editing, and [[journalism ethics and standards|journalism ethics]].

Copy editors can also be trained in other software programs to ensure accuracy within a writer's work. Whether using programs like Illustrator, Publisher, or Photoshop, copy editors can obtain skills in using different types of software to help catch further errors that may be present in a writer's work. Due to new developments in technology and its various uses, the training and skills that would help a copy editor are expected to change in the future.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Loop |first=Mead |date=2000 |title=Contemporary editing. |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/215293721 |journal=Journalism & Mass Communication Educator |volume=55 |issue=3 |pages=90–91 |id={{ProQuest|215293721}} }}</ref>