Ensuring Consistency in Copy-Editing
From “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter¨ in Butcher’s Copy-Editing
If you […] have been asked to mark up headings and design features as well as the text, […] compile two separate style sheets: a word list for the proofreader and typesetter, and a style sheet covering such matters as style of headings, displayed matter, etc., primarily for the typesetter.
From “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter¨ in Butcher’s Copy-Editing
The easiest way to ensure consistency is to make lists, as you go through the typescript, of the author’s general style - spelling, capitalization, hyphens, italic - and unusual proper names, with the folio number of the first (or every) occurrence, in case you need to change the style later. […] it may suit you best to make an alphabetical word list, either on your computer or by hand, […]. Otherwise you - and also the typesetter and proofreader - might find it easier to have a list divided into categories […].
That is, to ensure consistency, it is best to make two separate lists: a word list and a style sheet. For both, a copy-editor should accompany each noted item with a folio number with at least the first occurrence of the style example or object of design. The difference between a word list and style sheet are as such:
| feature | word list | style sheet |
|---|---|---|
| for whom | typesetter & proofreader | typesetter |
| subject | written style | design & layout |
| type | list | ? |
| These should also cover any patterns in style of or from the author for which alteration is sought. Keep in mind, though, that directly incorporated materials from other sources need not be consistent–in fact, should not be consistent: |
From “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter¨ in Butcher’s Copy-Editing
Remember that quotations and book or article titles should not be made consistent in spelling, etc., with the rest of the book.
This is due to the requirements of legally-recognized acknowledgment under copyright (refer to Acknowledgement and Copyright).
Things to watch out for the consistency of (Butcher 2006, 45-49):
- Spelling, as names and other words may have alternate spellings, and authors may inconsistently anglicize proper names
- Accents, particularly on semi-anglicized words
- Factual claims, e.g. the colors of hair and eyes for different characters or persons or time spans and ages
- Hyphenation v. one word v. two words
- Capitalization
- Italics, especially for semi-anglicized words or those very familiar to the author
- Abbreviations
- Dates
- Units of measurement
- Numbers, e.g. elision of number pairs or use of words v. numerals
- Single (or double) quotes
- Bibliographical references
- Cross-references
- Use of singular v. plural verbs after group nouns
- ‘it´ referring to countries
proper_names proper_name word_list title editing editor copy-editor copy-editing
bibliography
- “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter.” In Butcher’s Copy-Editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Copy-Editors and Proofreaders, 4th ed., 28–68. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2006.