Proofreading, light copy-editing, full copy-editing, copywriting … Let’s clear up this kerfuffle, once and for all

‘Please could you just quickly proofread this for me? I mean, copy-edit it. Lightly. No, wait, properly. I mean, erm, maybe you could just rewrite the whole thing?’ It’s confusing, isn’t it? So, is there really a difference between all these terms?

For our in-house German Department, this is easy to answer. They are definitely not all the same thing. There are some important (not so) little details that set them apart from one another.

Let’s go back to basics. Any copy can be proofread or copy-edited, either ‘fully’ or ‘lightly’. But the level of correction you choose will result in a very different final version.

No mistakes, guaranteed

The first option you have is a proofread, which is very much a hands-off approach to correction. The aim here is to remove any actual mistakes. We focus on grammar, spelling and punctuation, leaving your phrasing as it is. We won’t complain if you’ve used the same word three times in the same paragraph. Even if we’d prefer to change it!

Smoothing out the wrinkles

If you request light copy-editing, we go a little further. Any mistakes in terms of grammar or punctuation are corrected as before, but we also start to look at the piece of writing as a whole. We’ll point out repetitions and redundant words, and we’ll make suggestions to ensure the style remains consistent throughout, especially if we suspect there have been several authors at work. As part of your light copy-edit, we also take into account your glossary, any dos and don’ts you might have, and your own particular house style, where it differs from the Duden. The general quality of the writing is addressed, as opposed to focusing on simply removing errors.

The full service

But what if you need more? Perhaps you’ve got everything down you want to say, but it still doesn’t sound quite right? Then it’s probably time for a full copy-edit. You get everything you’d expect from a proofread or light copy-edit, and a whole lot more besides – whatever it takes to make your copy shine. We’ll use your content and mould it into shape. Not necessarily rewriting every sentence but improving the structure and flow of the piece as a whole. Our enhancements will ensure beautiful readability, perfectly tailored to your target group, allowing you to publish with peace of mind.

What if the words completely elude you?

If you’ve only got the beginnings of an idea, rather than anything actually down on paper, then we’re talking content creation. In a nutshell, if you give us the bare bones, we will create your copy for you. We will work closely with you here, discussing exactly what you need and expect from us. Who is your end customer? Who is the target group? What is your goal with this copy? What kind of copy is it? What about a glossary? Dos and don’ts to take into account? Word limits? How about the key message you want to put across? All this and more needs to be clear before we start – to ensure you get the result you want.

The big picture

Each level of correction has its place. If you’re still not sure whether you need a quick once-over or a full rewrite, please don’t hesitate to ask! Our in-house German Department offers every service we’ve considered here, which means we are well placed to talk through your options with you and help you decide. We look forward to hearing from you!

And what about English?

If you need your copy in English, too, then our in-house English Department is your next port of call. Give us your finished piece in German, and we will translate it into beautiful, natural-sounding English with a short turnaround time. Perhaps your foreign-language skills are up to scratch, and you’ve done the translation yourself. Great! We will give it the native-speaker treatment, sorting out those little ‘Denglicisms’ and maybe teaching you some new vocab in the process. If you’ve asked a machine to help you with the translation, we will spot the issues that only a human can, ensuring no embarrassing slip-ups. Ultimately, our English-language experts in-house will adapt and localise your content for the English-speaking market, giving you peace of mind for a confident and assured presence on the international stage.