Body Copy
Body copy refers to the main text content in magazines, newspapers, or other publications. It's the bulk of the written material that appears in articles, excluding headlines, photo captions, and other special text elements. When someone in publishing mentions "body copy," they're talking about the primary text that tells the story or delivers the information. Think of it as the "meat" of any article - the paragraphs that readers spend most of their time reading. This term is commonly used by editors, writers, and designers when discussing article layouts and content.
Examples in Resumes
Edited and refined Body Copy for feature articles in monthly lifestyle magazine
Managed team of writers to produce engaging Body Copy for 12 magazine issues annually
Developed style guidelines for Body Copy formatting across all publication materials
Typical job title: "Copy Editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Copy Editors
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you maintain consistent voice and style across multiple writers' body copy?
Expected Answer: A senior editor should discuss creating and maintaining style guides, training writers, establishing editorial processes, and methods for quality control across all content.
Q: How do you adapt body copy for different platforms (print, digital, social)?
Expected Answer: Should explain strategies for reformatting and restructuring content for different mediums while maintaining message integrity, including length adjustments and tone modifications.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for editing body copy under tight deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should describe efficient editing workflows, prioritization methods, and quality control processes that work under time pressure.
Q: How do you ensure body copy aligns with the publication's tone and target audience?
Expected Answer: Should discuss understanding audience demographics, maintaining brand voice, and adjusting writing style accordingly.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements you look for when proofreading body copy?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking for grammar, spelling, punctuation, fact accuracy, and basic style guide compliance.
Q: How do you structure body copy to maintain reader engagement?
Expected Answer: Should discuss paragraph length, use of subheadings, transition sentences, and basic principles of readable content.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic proofreading and editing
- Understanding of grammar and style guides
- Fact-checking
- Basic layout awareness
Mid (2-5 years)
- Substantive editing
- Writer management
- Style guide implementation
- Content planning
Senior (5+ years)
- Editorial strategy development
- Team management
- Content quality standards
- Publication planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- Poor grammar and writing skills
- No experience with style guides
- Inability to meet deadlines
- Lack of attention to detail
- No understanding of different content formats
Related Terms
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