Editing Proofreading (section)

==Proofreading and copy-editing==
[[File:Example of copyedited manuscript.jpg|thumb|Example of non-professional copy editing in progress.]]
The term "proofreading" is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to [[copy editing]], and vice versa. Although there is necessarily some overlap, proofreaders typically lack any real editorial or managerial authority, but they may mark queries for typesetters, editors, or authors. To set expectations before hiring proofreaders, some employers post a notice that the job advertised is not a writing or editing position and will not become one. Creativity and critical thinking by their very nature conflict with the strict copy-following discipline that [[Commerce|commercial]] and [[United States Government Printing Office|government]]al proofreading requires. Thus, proofreading and editing are fundamentally separate responsibilities. In contrast to proofreaders, copy editors focus on a sentence-by-sentence analysis of the text to "clean it up" by improving grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and structure. The copy editor is usually the last editor an author will work with. Copy editing focuses intensely on style, content, punctuation, [[grammar]], and consistency of usage.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.proofreadingcamp.com/types-editing-proofreading/| title=Copy That: The Categories and Classes of Editing| author=ProofreadingCamp.com| access-date=August 25, 2014| archive-date=August 26, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114213/http://www.proofreadingcamp.com/types-editing-proofreading/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Copy editing and proofreading are parts of the same process; each is necessary at a different stage of the writing process. Copy editing is required during the drafting stage. The copy editors polish the text for precision and conciseness. They attempt to understand the purpose of the writing and the intended audience; therefore, they ask questions such as where the document will be published and who will read it, and they edit accordingly. Proofreading, rather, is required during the last stage of the editing process. Its scope is limited, as the proofreaders focus only on reading the text to ensure the document is error-free and ready for publication.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Editing vs. Proofreading: What's The Difference|url=https://www.enago.com/author-hub/editing-vs-proofreading|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Enago|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910125304/https://www.enago.com/author-hub/editing-vs-proofreading|url-status=live}}</ref> Proofreading generally focuses on correcting any final typos, spelling errors, stylistic inconsistencies (e.g., whether words or numerals are used for numbers), and punctuation errors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guide to Proofreading|url=https://www.editorworld.com/article/347/guide-to-proofreading|access-date=2023-02-28|website=Editor World|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228205318/https://www.editorworld.com/article/347/guide-to-proofreading|url-status=live}}</ref>