How to Be News Copy Editor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 29, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Steps How to Become

Earn a Degree. Most news copy editors have a college degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field. Coursework could include classes in editing, writing, media law, and reporting.
Develop Writing and Editing Skills. Copy editors must have strong writing and editing skills. Candidates should get experience as copy editors or writers for student publications, newspapers, or magazines.
Get Experience. Get experience in the newsroom by working as an intern or a clerk. This experience will help you hone your skills and understanding of the newsroom environment.
Pursue Professional Development. News copy editors can stay up-to-date on the industry through professional development opportunities like seminars, conferences, and workshops.
Obtain Certification. The American Copy Editors Society (ACES) offers a three-tiered certification program that provides hands-on training to help news copy editors gain knowledge and expertise. To become certified, applicants must pass written exams and submit a portfolio of work for review.

The lack of reliable and qualified copy editors can have a major effect on the quality of content produced today. Without an experienced copy editor to review the work, it is possible that errors, inaccuracies, and typos can slip through and make their way into published materials. Inaccurate information can lead to confusion, mistrust, and even legal consequences.

Furthermore, without a qualified copy editor, the content may lack depth and clarity, which can lead to a decrease in its effectiveness. Ensuring that the content produced is of the highest quality requires hiring reliable and qualified copy editors to review it. This will help to ensure accuracy and provide readers with content that is both engaging and informative.

You may want to check Multi-Media News Reporter, News Graphic Designer, and News Technical Director for alternative.

Job Description

Ensure accuracy of copy in articles, press releases, and other publications.
Edit for style, clarity, grammar, punctuation, and accuracy of facts.
Research topics and conduct interviews as needed.
Work with writers to ensure accuracy of content.
Provide feedback and suggestions to writers to improve their work.
Monitor news sources for relevant stories and update publication accordingly.
Develop story ideas and write headlines.
Develop guidelines and protocols for editing process.
Develop relationships with editors and other industry professionals.
Work with designers and other staff to ensure accuracy of visuals and other elements.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent command of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Ability to work quickly, accurately, and independently
Familiarity with Associated Press (AP) style
An eye for detail and a passion for accuracy
Sound news judgment and understanding of journalistic standards
Knowledge of various software applications, including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and other web-based editing tools
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively with reporters, editors, and other staff members

Effective copy editing is crucial for creating content that is accurate, concise, and captivating. One of the most important skills a copy editor needs to have is a keen eye for detail. They need to be able to spot errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax, as well as identify any potential factual inaccuracies.

An excellent copy editor should also be able to recognize the tone and style of the content and make sure it remains consistent throughout. they need to be organized and able to manage multiple documents and deadlines. Finally, a copy editor needs to have strong communication skills so they can work closely with writers, editors, and other stakeholders to ensure the content meets the highest standards.

All of these skills are essential for producing top-notch content that resonates with its audience.

Social Media News Producer, Freelance News Writer, and TV News Anchor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How familiar are you with AP style guidelines?
What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy and completeness of a news story?
How do you handle tight deadlines?
What experience do you have working with a team of journalists?
How would you evaluate a story for relevancy and appeal to readers?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy and consistency in copy editing?
How do you handle difficult editorial decisions?
Have you ever had to make changes to a story due to legal or ethical considerations?
How do you stay up to date with the latest news developments?
How do you determine the correct tone for a news story?

Common Tools in Industry

Grammarly. Grammarly is a powerful grammar and spelling checker that offers suggestions to improve the overall quality of writing. (eg: Grammarly flagged the incorrect usage of a comma in my sentence. )
Hemingway App. Hemingway App is an online editing tool that helps fix long and complicated sentences, making them more readable and clear. (eg: Hemingway App identified an excessively long and complicated sentence in my article. )
Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word is a word processing software that offers features such as spell checking, auto-correct, and word count. (eg: I used Microsoft Word's auto-correct feature to quickly fix typos in my article. )
AP Stylebook. The AP Stylebook is a comprehensive style guide for journalists and other content creators, providing guidance on grammar, punctuation, and usage. (eg: I consulted the AP Stylebook for guidance on capitalizing geographical terms in my article. )
Adobe InDesign. Adobe InDesign is a professional desktop publishing software that helps create print-ready documents. (eg: I used Adobe InDesign to format my article for the newspaper layout. )

Professional Organizations to Know

American Copy Editors Society (ACES)
National Association of Science Writers (NASW)
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
National Writers Union (NWU)
Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW)
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
International Association of Press Photographers (IAPP)
Associated Press Media Editors (APME)
Copyediting and Proofreading Professionals of Canada (CPPC)

We also have News Segment Producer, Sports News Reporter, and Radio News Anchor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Fact-checking. The process of verifying facts and figures used in a news story.
Headline Writing. Writing concise, attention-grabbing headlines that accurately represent the content of a news story.
AP Style. A set of rules and guidelines for writing news stories, coined by the Associated Press.
Grammar & Punctuation. The knowledge of proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage when editing news stories.
Lead Writing. Writing the lead paragraph of a news story, which should summarize the main points of the article.
Subediting. The process of making minor changes to a story prior to publication, such as correcting typos and grammar mistakes.
Copyflow. A system for tracking and managing the editing process of a news story, from creation to publication.
Copy Editing. The process of reviewing and revising a news story for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and style.
Source Checking. Verifying the accuracy of sources used in a news story, such as quotes and statistics.
Libel Law. The legal protection against defamation or false statements made in a news story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a News Copy Editor? A1: A News Copy Editor is a professional responsible for editing news stories, articles, and other content before it is published in newspapers, magazines, and online media. Q2: What duties does a News Copy Editor perform? A2: The primary duties of a News Copy Editor include reading and reviewing written material for accuracy, grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, and clarity; making corrections and suggestions for improvement; fact-checking; verifying sources; and performing any necessary research. Q3: What qualifications are necessary to become a News Copy Editor? A3: To become a News Copy Editor, it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field. Additionally, experience in writing, editing, and proofreading is preferred. Q4: What skills are beneficial for a News Copy Editor to have? A4: Beneficial skills for a News Copy Editor include excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, knowledge of AP Style, knowledge of grammar rules and punctuation, knowledge of the latest technology and software used in the industry, and the ability to work quickly and efficiently. Q5: How much do News Copy Editors typically earn? A5: The typical salary range for News Copy Editors is $38,000 - $50,000 per year. However, salaries may vary depending on experience level and location.