Copy Editors improve the readability of textbook content for the Open Curriculum Development Project. Please read Unit 0 for an introduction to the entire project.

Textbooks are usually 8 chapters plus supporting documents. Copy Editors receive a stipend of $5,000 per book. The deadline for copy edits is one month from the start date.

Copy Editors suggest grammatical and stylistic edits to fix wordiness, incorrect citations, awkward phrasing, repetition, or organizational weaknesses. This work requires close attention to detail in order to focus on:

• Clarity and overall readability of the text, from the perspective of a student
• Tone and inclusivity of the text
• General grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Text, headings, images, and charts/graphs
• In-text and bibliographical citations; license and attribution statements

The copy editor should be familiar with the {Course #} About This Book document to understand the goals and style choices of the author team.

Manuscript Documents

The table below shows the full packet of documents that make up the manuscript you will receive for copy editing. Our project uses Google Docs.

Please follow the guidelines below when working with these documents.

Invisible Copy Editing Categories

Please make the changes described below directly in the manuscript. You do not need to track changes or leave comments. This approach minimizes the feedback that Revising Authors are asked to respond to in the next revision phase.

1. Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar: Correct errors in these categories consistent with the project’s {Course #} About This Book document and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
   1. Names: check the spelling of all names.
   2. Transitional expressions: for example, moving “however” to the beginning of a sentence to connect ideas between sentences.
   3. Sentence structure: reordering nouns and verbs so they’re grammatically correct.
   4. {Course #} About This Book: ensure consistency with project notes in this document.
2. Length: If possible to break up paragraphs or sentences without needing new content, then make invisible edits.
   1. Long paragraphs: Break into readable 150–200 word max. paragraphs.
   2. Long sentences: Break up compound/complex sentences; one subject and one verb per sentence; break up multiple long sentences (>40 words).
3. Clarity
   1. Incorrect words: words, terms, or phrases that are incorrect given the context of the surrounding text.
   2. Missing/extra words: adding specific words to the sentence to improve reader understanding.
   3. Filler words: Cut non-content bearing words that trip up readers at the beginning of a sentence; for example, “it is important to note that …” or “the issue to be considered here is that …”.

Visible Copy Editing Categories

Please use suggesting mode or the comments feature in Google Docs to leave feedback on the areas described below. The Revising Author will review your feedback and accept/reject changes or rewrite based on your suggestions.

1. Whole sentences
   1. Passive voice: Reword sentences so that the actor is the subject performing the verb. If the actor is unclear, the copy editor will query.
   2. Redundancy of words between or within sentences
2. Word choices
   1. Biased/exclusionary language: For general guidelines, refer to OHSU Inclusive Language Guide [Website].
   2. Imprecise wording: Replace ambiguous pronouns (“it”) with specific nouns; no “things” and “stuff.”
   3. Trim adverbs.

Licenses and Attributions for Copy Editor

Open content, original

“Copy Editor” by Open Oregon Educational Resources is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Open content, shared previously

“Copy Editor” is adapted from OER Targeted Pathways Copyediting Guide by Chemeketa Press, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.