Reference Chart for Copy-Editing Symbols

A complete list of copy-editing symbols and instructions used for editing and refining text, based on the provided reference chart.

Abbreviate or use numerals

An instruction to use a shortened form or digits, such as changing a word to the numeral $2$.

Boldface

An instruction to set specific text in a thicker, heavier typeface for emphasis.

Capitalize

An instruction to change a lowercase letter to an uppercase letter, as required for proper nouns like "An american" or "nobel prize".

Center

An instruction to position text in the middle of a line relative to the margins.

Change letter

A correction used to replace a specific character within a word, such as fixing "expenve" to "expensive".

Change word

An instruction to replace one word with another to ensure clarity or correctness.

Close up space between words

An instruction to remove the gap between two separate words.

Close up space within a word

An instruction to remove an accidental space inside a single word, such as in "thirteen".

Continues on next page

Marked with the word "More" to indicate that the story or text is continued on a subsequent page like "10C".

Delete letter

An instruction to remove an unnecessary character from a word.

Delete phrase

An instruction to remove a group of unnecessary words from the text.

Delete punctuation

An instruction to remove unnecessary marks such as commas or periods.

End of story

Indicated by the specific symbols "###", "-30-", or "-0-".

Flush left

An instruction for the typesetter to align the line with the left margin.

Flush right

An instruction for the typesetter to align the line with the right margin.

Ignore correction (Stet)

Indicates that a marked change should be ignored and the text should be kept as originally written.

Insert apostrophe

An instruction to add a punctuation mark to indicate possession or a contraction, such as turning "youre" into "you're".

Insert colon

An instruction to add a ":" mark, often used to introduce a list or separate clauses.

Insert comma

An instruction to add a "," mark used to separate elements or clauses within a sentence.

Insert dash

An instruction to add a long horizontal mark used to indicate a break in thought, such as in "The score was $87$ to $53$ a disaster".

Insert exclamation point

An instruction to add a "!" mark to indicate strong emotion or emphasis.

Insert hyphen

An instruction to add a short horizontal mark used to join words together.

Insert letter

An instruction to add a missing character within a word.

Insert period

An instruction to add a "." mark to indicate the end of a sentence.

Insert quotation marks

An instruction to add marks used to enclose direct speech or specific titles.

Insert semicolon

An instruction to add a ";" mark used to link independent clauses.

Insert word

An instruction to place a missing word into a sentence to complete the meaning.

Italic

An instruction to set text in a slanted typeface for emphasis.

Lowercase

An instruction to change a capital letter to a small letter, such as changing "The Mayor" to "the mayor".

No new paragraph

An instruction to maintain the flow of text instead of starting a new indentation or block.

Separate words

An instruction to add a space between words that have been typed together, such as "ofpolitical".

Spell out numbers or words

An instruction to write out a number or abbreviation in full rather than using symbols or numerals.

Start new paragraph

An instruction to begin a new block of text on a new line, often with an indentation.

Transpose letter

An instruction to swap the positions of two adjacent letters that are in the wrong order.

Transpose words

An instruction to swap the positions of two words to correct the sentence structure.