AboutRobert D`Angelo Expertise I am a copy editor who has more than 20 years experience in editing newspaper and magazine articles. Much of my career has been spent editing sports copy, but I also am capable of editing non-sports and technical copy.I am an avid sports trivia fan, and a collector of baseball cards. Another hobby I enjoy is genealogy. I believe I have some experience in all three of those areas.
Experience I have been a sports reporter and/or copy editor since 1979. Worked as both in Stuart, Fla., from 1980 to 1988, serving as assistant sports editor from 1984 to 1988. Have been a sports copy editor at The Tampa Tribune since 1988. I also have edited magazines in the areas of golf, auto racing, soccer, and information technology.
Received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 1979.
Was a 12-time winner from 1982 through 1988 in Florida Sports Writers Association writing and design contests. I served as president of the Florida Sports Writers Association in 1989-90, and served as first vice president (1988-89) and second vice president (1987-88).
Question Hello, Robert. I am a college sophomore who is very interested in becoming a copy editor. The only problem is that I have no idea where to start. I was wondering if you could give me a few recommendations for books you consider indispensable, as well as any general advice you have for an upcoming copy editor.
Thanks!
Tiffany
Answer Hi Tiffany,
Books you can start with are "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White, and the latest Associated Press stylebook. Those two books are indispensible as far as grammar, punctuation and style go.
Best advice for an aspiring copy editor is to read anything you can get your hands on. Pick books that you enjoy, be it novels or non-fiction, and read them. Note style, voice, cadence and flow. Being a copy editor is more than just being a proofreader, although being a stickler for spelling and grammar is important. Once you get an ear for how stories should be read, you will be on your way.
One phrase I learned a long time ago has always stuck with me as far as copy editing goes: "Never put a pencil to a piece of copy unless you intend to improve it." (Since we work with computers mostly, that sounds obsolete, but the general thought is the same). One does not go into a story and start changing it entirely unless there is a need to improvement. It's hard, but a copy editor has to remember that he/she is reading a story written by someone else; it is their byline, and each writer carries a different style.
As you become an experienced copy editor, it is important to establish a rapport with the reporters you will work with; after all, you will be reading their stories, and they will be trusting their story to you. Sometimes on deadline it is tough to have long conversations with writers and hard, quick decisions must be made, but whenever possible, communicate with the writer. If you have to make wholesale changes to a story, it is imperative that you contact the writer involved, not only to let them know there are changes to be made, but also to give them the opportunity to change them themselves.
That will eliminate any hard feelings and will deepen the trust between you. I know some writers who will call and ask for a particular copy editor to handle their story, which is a nice compliment (although it is not always practical).
I would check with your adviser in your college as to what journalism curriculum you should take. It is not a bad idea to even go out and write a few stories yourself, so you can have a feel on how to craft a story and file it under deadline conditions. Practical experience is good; if you know what a writer has to go through, you are much more likely to edit more carefully. And writers can respect that as well.
Good luck, and if you have any more questions, do not hesitate to follow up.
