The Art of Proofreading Versus Copyediting

Are you aware that proofreaders and copyeditors handle different tasks in the draft process?

If not, I will explain the different skill sets that proofreaders and copyeditors possess when making corrections in the final and first drafts.

As a proofreader, I play a pivotal role as the last line of defense for written text before it reaches the intended audience. Usually, a copyeditor has reviewed and corrected a written document before it lands in my hands. The copyeditor’s role is equally important, but it demands a different set of skills.

Although proofreaders and copyeditors work on written text, they focus on different stages in the writing process and have different goals. A copyeditor “works on a document’s first draft, checking sentence structure, word choice, and writing style. Copyeditors also consider the big picture, such as the writing’s theme, flow, clarity, and how it affects the brand’s voice” (The Writing Center UNC at Chapel Hill, 2024). 

On the other hand, a proofreader focuses on the final draft, where they look for and correct misspelled words, punctuation errors, grammar mistakes, and formatting issues before a document is published or shared. Often, if they notice errors in sentence structure, word choice, or writing style that were overlooked in the copyediting process, they will write a comment or suggestion to the author.

As a proofreader, I play a pivotal role. My skills are different but equally as important as a copyeditor’s skillset.