Increasingly, copyediting is positioned as expendable—next up on the AI chopping block. But copyediting is much more than dotting I’s and crossing T’s. What does a copy editor really do, and why is it more important than ever to telling good stories?
Many people think that the author and developmental editor hold sole influence over a piece’s storytelling. The copy editor, though, can have just as much sway on a reader’s perception of the finished product. While fixing typos and editing for consistency are always top of mind for a copy editor, the choices behind these edits are more than just linguistic hygiene.
Storytelling permeates every layer of the written word. Copy editors dig into this narrative DNA and sculpt the reader’s experience. The simplest decision of whether or not to include a particular punctuation mark can affect the flow, syntax, and even message of the story. Because consistency and clarity are so critical to how a story is received, a thorough copyedit can change a piece’s whole trajectory.
For example, grammatically, a period can serve the same exact function as a semicolon—they both separate complete sentences. A period, however, divides, while a semicolon coaxes the reader forward, drawing them along with context. This contrast in rhythm and implication can be integral to the story. And because copy editors are so familiar with the material they’re editing, they understand when a semicolon enhances the narrative and when it detracts.
Allegedly, AI can get this job done just as well without any of the inconvenience of human input. But I’d argue the opposite: A well-placed semicolon can make all the difference, and we have a long way to go before AI can provide that human touch.
