COPY EDITING copy The last step in writing a story comes after your story has been completed and the last sheet of is taken out of the computer. Experienced writers take time to read over the copy carefully, word for word, and line by line. They look for typing errors, mistakes in spelling, and usage and in points of style or writing faults that they can correct themselves before turning their copy over to an editor. Copy editing (also written as copy-editing or copyediting, and sometimes abbreviated to ce) is the work that an editor does to correct errors in grammar, spelling, usage, improve formatting, and style (styles refers to a given publication's guidelines for consistency in how words, phrases, typographical elements, etc., are used-or not used and accuracy of text). Copy refers to written or typewritten story for typesetting, printing or publication. Copy editing is done before final typesetting of the material. An editor who does this work is called a copy editor. The term copy editor may also be spelled as one word or in hyphenated form. The hyphenated form is common in U.K. while in the U.S. using the two word form is more common. Copy editors are not proof readers, although reading proofs is often part of the job description. The difference is that proofreaders are charged with simply looking for typographical and mechanical errors on copy that has already been typeset. The copyreader or copy editor also called a slot man, is the man who "cleans" a reporter's story which is also called a copy. He has different titles and designations such as copyreader, desk or senior deskman or editor. Whatever his title or designation may be his dual functions are to check errors of facts and grammar and to evaluate the entirety of the story. ​