Editing+and+Proofreading

=Editing and Proofreading= One articles have been turned in, the process of editing and proofreading begins. This is an essential part in creating a well-written paper that lacks mistakes and misprints.

The Difference between Editing and Proofreading
When an article is turned in, it is printed out through a word processor. This is often called a **copy. Editing**, also known as **copy-editing**, is the correction of copies. When a copy is placed in the layout, it is referred to as a **proof**. **Proofreading** is the process of correcting errors in proofs before being sent to print**.**

**Editing**
Editing is the often the first line of defense against spelling, mechanical, and factual errors within a story. Before an article is ever printed out, it should be run through spell check to catch the majority of mistakes. Once printed, all of the names, dates, quotes and places in the copy should be checked for accuracy and correctness. Passive voice should be eliminated wherever possible. First and second person should be changed to third person. Active tense verbs should be used as well. The story's angle should be checked to ensure that it will appeal to the audience of the article. A stylebook for the paper should be referenced if any questions arise about the copy's writing. If the organization is flawed, it should be changed so the article reads better. The author of a copy should never be the only one to edit the copy if at all possible.

Proofreading
Proofreading, unlike editing, does not involve double-checking facts and reorganizing the copy. It involves catching mistakes not found in editing, as well as those introduced when the copy was placed into the layout. Proofreaders should check for punctuation errors, tabulation errors, cut-offs with copies, missing indents, extra spaces, and errors in headlines and cutlines. Widows, short lines at the end of a paragraph appearing at the top of a column, and orphans, a short word sitting on a line by itself, should be eliminated by repositioning. Unlike editing, authors should never read proofs of their own work, as this is the best way for mistakes to be overlooked.

Apply Edits and Saving Copies and Proofs
Once edits have been found in copies and issues have been identified in a proof, the changes must be made to the master file. Again, edits should be made to the copies by the author. The author has the right to refuse to make any changes that change the voice of the article; however, they must make any grammatical or spelling changes found. Once proofs have been looked over, any changes should be made by either the editor in charge of the section, or the Editor-in-Chief, depending on the amount of edits and the deadline until printing.

The number of the draft of the copy or proof, or the date when the copy or proof was looked over, should be marked on the files. The hard copies of both the copies and proofs should be kept. This is to ensure not only that the edits are documented, but also that the edits are available for use if a file becomes corrupted later on in the editing process.

The Great Editing Balancing Act
One of the age-old struggles of editors and proofreaders is making sure that the voice of the article or its sentences is not changed. This can often be a difficult task, as an edit that seems fine to an editor may be rejected or disliked by the author. If possible, the author should be the person to apply the edits to the copy, so that any change in voice is avoided. If this is not possible, the author should approve the edited copy before it is placed and printed.

Well, You Messed Up. Now What?
If a mistake - especially a factual mistake or a spelling mistake for someone's name - slips through editing and proofing, a retraction should be printed. This should be on the same page as the masthead, and should state what was printed, what the correction is, and when/what issue the article was published.