Copy Editor Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
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Copy editors ascertain that a text is agreeable to read. They ensure that a text adheres to the conventions of grammar and spelling. Copy editors read and revise materials for books, journals, magazines and other media.
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Where Do I Start?
Copyright Legislation
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Copy Editor
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialCopyright Legislation knowledge
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialGrammar knowledge
The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialWriting Techniques knowledge
The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTypography knowledge
The procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.
Recommended Books
3 books -
EssentialSpelling knowledge
The rules concerning the way words are spelled.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialApply Grammar And Spelling Rules skill
Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConsult With Editor skill
Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow A Brief skill
Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSuggest Revision skill
Suggest adaptations and revisions of manuscripts to authors to make the manuscript more appealing to the target audience.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTrack Changes In Text Editing skill
Track changes such as grammar and spelling corrections, element additions, and other modifications when editing (digital) texts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Dictionaries skill
Use glossaries and dictionaries to search for the meaning, the spelling, and synonyms of words.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of {{ profession.optional_skills|length }} displayed)
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OptionalDesktop Publishing knowledge
The creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.
Recommended Books
4 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }} -
OptionalOffice Software knowledge
The characteristics and functioning of software programs for office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, email and database.
Recommended Books
1 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }} -
OptionalEditorial Standards knowledge
The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalLiterature knowledge
The body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdapt To Artists' Creative Demands skill
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Desktop Publishing Techniques skill
Apply desktop publishing techniques and software to create page layouts and typographic quality text.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConsult Information Sources skill
Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Ethical Code Of Conduct Of Journalists skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProofread Text skill
Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRewrite Articles skill
Rewrite articles to correct errors, make them more appealing to the audience, and to ensure that they fit within time and space allotments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Headlines skill
Write titles to accompany news articles. Make sure they are to the point and inviting.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRead Articles skill
Read unpublished articles thoroughly to look for errors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRead Manuscripts skill
Read incomplete or complete manuscripts from new or experienced authors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRewrite Manuscripts skill
Rewrite unpublished manuscripts to correct errors and to make them more appealing to the target audience.
Course recommendations coming soon.