Submitting a manuscript is a complex and often an emotional experience for researchers. Whether it’s your first manuscript or tenth, each submission offers a unique learning experience. Every submission is a reflection of countless hours of dedication and effort. As a researcher or a student, what was the most towering challenge before presenting your work to a journal’s critical eye? Undoubtedly, it would be sculpting your first draft to a final polished masterpiece! But, which draft is the final draft? How much editing is too much editing?

This is an unsolved riddle that perplexes even the most experienced researchers. Many students and researchers engage hours in self-editing in pursuit of perfection. Yet, they receive heartbreaking rejections that end up casting shadows of self-doubt. Eventually, they begin to question the very essence of their research prowess. But, is only basic grammar check and edits or using a non-proficient AI tool enough? Researchers often overlook the transformative power of copyediting in enhancing the manuscript’s quality. Little do they realize the magic of copyediting.

What Is Copyediting

Copyediting is reviewing a text to improve its readability in order to offer the best version of a document. Additionally, it checks various aspects of writing such as grammar, punctuation, clarity of thought, consistency, etc. to make the document more professional and presentable. Moreover, it holds the power to increase the credibility of your research and increase the chances of acceptance by the journal of your interest.

Why is Copyediting Important

Copyediting plays an indispensable role in various areas of research publishing. It holds the power to abate your submission as it ensures an effective delivery of the content. It enhances the overall impact of the manuscript by enhancing the consistency in writing. Therefore, it can play a make-or-break game for your submission. The ultimate goal of copyediting is to polish your draft and make it publication-ready. It presents your research in the best possible light. Additionally, it makes it easier for readers to engage with and understand your findings.

When to Copyedit?

Copyediting is a critical step in the editorial process that should be undertaken after the completion of the initial draft of a written work. Additionally, copyediting is best carried out once the substantive editing or developmental editing and revisions have been completed, ensuring that the content is well-structured and coherent. It is the third stage of editing, usually done before proofreading the document. Furthermore, it aligns the structure of the text and makes the information comprehensible. The process fixes technical errors without changing the context; thus making it easier for proofreading.

Copyediting and proofreading are two different steps in editing serving individual roles. Therefore, understanding the difference between these steps can be helpful in making a wise choice while editing a manuscript.