Book Editing Copy Editing Techniques

Question 1

What is the primary role of a copy editor?

Accepted Answer

Correcting grammar, punctuation, consistency, and style at the sentence level

Answer

Redesigning the book's layout

Answer

Evaluating the book's commercial potential

Answer

Writing the book's back-cover copy

Question 2

Which style guide is most commonly used in US book publishing?

Accepted Answer

Chicago Manual of Style

Answer

AP Stylebook

Answer

APA Publication Manual

Answer

MLA Handbook

Question 3

What is a 'style sheet' in copy editing?

Accepted Answer

A document the copy editor creates to record spelling, hyphenation, and style decisions made during editing

Answer

A CSS file for ebook formatting

Answer

A template provided by the publisher for manuscript formatting

Answer

A checklist of grammar rules to apply

Question 4

What does 'stet' mean when marked on a manuscript?

Accepted Answer

Let it stand — do not make the marked change

Answer

Delete this word

Answer

Move this sentence to the next paragraph

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Insert a space here

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a consistency error a copy editor would catch?

Accepted Answer

A character whose name is spelled 'Sarah' in chapter 1 and 'Sara' in chapter 10

Answer

A metaphor the copy editor finds overused

Answer

A sentence the copy editor finds stylistically weak

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A subplot the copy editor finds unnecessary

Question 6

What is 'parallel structure' and why do copy editors enforce it?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring items in a list or series use the same grammatical form

Answer

Matching font styles across headings

Answer

Keeping chapter lengths approximately equal

Answer

Matching dialogue tags to character names consistently