Copy Editing Checklist

  • Read through once
    • Check page numbers
      • TOC
      • Cross-reference in body copy
    • Headlines and subheads
      • Spelling
      • Style consistency (capitalization, bold, etc.)
    • Headers and footers
      • Spelling
      • Style consistency (capitalization, bold, etc.)
    • Bullets and lists
      • Structural consistency (begin with verb, complete sentences, etc.)
      • Punctuation
      • Proper order of numbered lists
      • Proper order of alphabetical lists
    • Photos and captions
      • Style consistency (punctuation, italics, etc.)
      • Do captions match photo content?
      • Is photo content college-appropriate?
    • Dates and times
      • Style consistency (no 12:00—should be noon or midnight)
      • Ensure date matches day of week
    • Web links
      • Do not include http:// or www.
      • Does linked content match originating body copy?
    • Look for double spaces
    • Check paragraph indentation/space breaks for consistency
    • Margins
      • Look at text wrapping on right margin for extra white space
      • Check left margins for extra spaces
    • Compare pull quotes to inline quotes
      • Should pull quotes have quotation marks?
    • Check design elements like lines, boxes, etc., for consistency
    • Check treatment of individuals’ names at every occurrence in article
      • Ensure names of organizations/centers/awards/titles are correct
    • Look up unusual words
    • Make sure nouns and verbs agree
    • Ensure necessary elements of back page/cover are present and correct
      • EOE statement, FSC-certification, publication date code
      • Master plate, sub-brand logo
      • Organization URL
      • Social media icons (depending on audience): Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, WeChat, Sina Weibo, LinkedIn, TikTok
  • Read through twice