What skills does a copy editor need?

A copy editor needs 13 essential skills including typography, digital journalism, writing techniques, spelling, grammar. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace copy editor jobs?

The AI disruption score for copy editor is 77/100 (very high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2642

copy editor

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.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

typographytypographyThe procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.digital journalismdigital journalismThe process through which the editorial content is produced through digital media and distributed through the Internet.writing techniqueswriting techniquesThe different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.follow a brieffollow a briefInterpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.suggest revision of manuscriptssuggest revision of manuscriptsSuggest adaptations and revisions of manuscripts to authors to make the manuscript more appealing to the target audience.consult with editorconsult with editorConsult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.track changes in text editingtrack changes in text editingTrack changes such as grammar and spelling corrections, element additions, and other modifications when editing (digital) texts.use dictionariesuse dictionariesUse glossaries and dictionaries to search for the meaning, the spelling, and synonyms of words.

Optional (14)

literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.editorial standardseditorial standardsThe guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.desktop publishingdesktop publishingThe creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.office softwareoffice softwareThe characteristics and functioning of software programs for office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, email and database.follow newspaper house stylefollow newspaper house styleProduce concise and accurate copy according to newspaper's house style and to strict deadlines-daily newspapers may have several each day.apply desktop publishing techniquesapply desktop publishing techniquesApply desktop publishing techniques to create page layouts and typographic quality text.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork 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.proofread textproofread textRead a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.rewrite manuscriptsrewrite manuscriptsRewrite unpublished manuscripts to correct errors and to make them more appealing to the target audience.write headlineswrite headlinesWrite titles to accompany news articles. Make sure they are to the point and inviting.follow ethical code of conduct of journalistsfollow ethical code of conduct of journalistsFollow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.rewrite articlesrewrite articlesRewrite articles to correct errors, make them more appealing to the audience, and to ensure that they fit within time and space allotments.read manuscriptsread manuscriptsRead incomplete or complete manuscripts from new or experienced authors.