Copy editing correction policy for my organization

For any respectable organization, copy editing is a must. Something as simple as having a copy editor on staff can help the legitimacy of a web site or a publication. This is the Age of Information, so in order for that information to be taken seriously it needs to be conveyed correctly. That's where copy editors come in, they are the vanguard. They make sure the copy is polished, therefore increasing the respectability of the organization. Nobody can respect a place that can't get their grammar in order. The best copy editors are the ones that follow strict rules for themselves. These policies will insure quality.

-Before posting copy, always go over it carefully:
If a person doesn't slack off in the editing stage, they will less likely have to go back and edit later. Take the time and go over everything. If there is any doubt about something, look it up. Trust the copy editing instinct. This goes beyond grammar and into fact checking. While grammar is embracing, it doesn't get you sued as much as basic fact checking.

-If mistakes are found, change them:
With the Internet it's easier than ever to change a mistake on the fly. Something as simple as differentiating between then/than can be corrected and nobody will be the wiser.

-Unless they are important mistakes:
The previous rule pertains to simple grammar and spelling mistakes. When it comes to more important mistakes such as names and facts, never straight up change it. The best way to correct the error and retain credibility is to let it remain and stick a note in the copy. The copy can be placed in the beginning, ending, or right after the mistake. No matter where it is placed, it is important to acknowledge whatever is wrong and correct it. The faster the better. The original mistake should stay though. If this bothers a person, they should use that frustration to not make any more mistakes.

-Have an in-house stylebook:
For all the little questions, having a standardized stylebook is handy. Even if it's just adapting the "AP Stylebook," there needs to be uniformity in the copy. Decisions on abbreviations, spellings and punctuation must not fluctuate. There needs to be a resource for any writers with questions so that they may easily turn to it. Also specifying which dictionary to use is important.

Writers are human, they are bound to make mistakes. Therefore copy editors are this safeguard. With the right rules in place an organization can stay legitimate with their writing and not look like amateurs.

Copyediting in Digital Age

The communication's field is adapting itself to the digital stage and copy editors must learn to adapt too. In order to fact check, copy editors must learn how to properly search for facts online. This simple skill allows for the copy editor to easily fact check the copy they are looking at. By doing this it will guarantee accuracy in reporting and help stop sloppy journalism. Copy editors should also know how to edit web pages. Not anything major just how to change the words on the screen in order to make the appropriate changes. This basic knowledge of HTML in needed for the editor to do their job and edit the stories. Another skill needed is the ability to contact the appropriate people. Telephones are still reliable in reaching people but e-mail has quickly become the standard in office communication.

Basic copy editing skills will always be necessary though. Knowledge of grammar, spelling and stylistic rules are important to every copy editor, especially since many writers don't hold these same virtues. Computer software could never replace a person's ability to see and make style changes. Computers don't know how to make copy properly flow and make sense. Computer can't see the forest for the trees, all it cares about is if you spelled Albuquerque properly. Also, the most important skill to every copy editor is their eye. Their eye for mistakes and misinformation and general sloppiness. This eye is not given but developed overtime. The more a copy editor works the faster and better they can spot every mistake. The copy editing eye is the most important aspect and can never be replaced.

About Me

I was born on Christmas with my twin brother. Since I was the first born male I was given the namesake: Donald Woods. I've grown up in the same house my whole life and have rarely left the town of Absecon, New Jersey. Ever since middle school I wanted to become a reporter. When I was in grade school I wanted to be a Indiana Jones but that didn't seem possible. I liked to write and listen to people's stories so journalism seemed like a good fit.

I came to Rowan because it seemed far away from Absecon enough that I could feel independent but close enough to go home whenever I had laundry. I am now a junior at Rowan University and a journalism major. I didn't become involved in the school newspaper, The Whit, until sophomore year. I started out as a copyeditor and for the last issue I even had an article.

I hope to become a reporter one day for a newspaper but the outlook is not good for newspapers. At this point I'll be happy with a job anywhere as a journalist because it is a job I can see myself doing in the future. Writing for newspapers is something I am legitimately excited about.