Appendix 8: Sample Editing Checklists
Copyediting Checklist
- Edited for jargon
- Edited for passive voice
- Edited for plain language
- Address any remaining inconsistencies in voice
- For international author groups, address consistencies in language (for example, if you are writing in English, make sure spellings are consistent with the chosen English variant)
- Typos
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
Proofreading Checklist
Once layout and design is complete, proofread. Check to be sure that:
- All hyperlinks work
- Line and paragraph spacing is consistent
- Fonts are consistent
- Headings are the correct level (H1, H2, etc.) and wording
And address any lingering errors with:
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Formatting
- Layout
- Consistent formatting for citations
- Consistent formatting for in-document links
- Consistent formatting for abbreviations and other context-specific data forms (for example, if you are writing a technical document talking about file formats, all formats follow a similar pattern of .pdf, not PDF).
- Typos, errors introduced with track changes
- Numbering of sections and appendices is consistent
- All hyperlinks work
- Line and paragraph spacing is consistent
- Heading and body fonts are consistent
- Symbols, quotation marks, and non-English characters display
