Copy(Edit) That
CopyEdit This is a self-directed editorial project developed as part of my professional writing portfolio. It combines real-world examples of less-than-ideal copy found in the wild with revision and reflection, showcasing how small changes in language, grammar, and tone can sharpen clarity and improve the reader experience.
DEADLINE · Possessive Misfire in AI Training Debate (June 2025)
Original Text:
The MPA has emphasized the need for flexibility, including leaving up to the court’s to decide whether the use of copyrighted content in training models is a “fair use.”
Suggested Edit:
The MPA has emphasized the need for flexibility, including leaving it up to the courts to decide whether the use of copyrighted content in training models is a “fair use.”
Why it matters:
In legal or policy discussions, these kinds of small but meaningful corrections are essential to maintaining authority and readability. The original mistakenly uses a possessive (“court’s”) instead of the intended plural (“courts”), and omits the necessary “it” before “up.” Together, these issues make the sentence feel disjointed and grammatically off. Correcting it restores clarity, grammatical integrity, and the natural rhythm of formal writing.
Source:
Disney And NBCUniversal Sue Midjourney For Copyright Infringement - Deadline
NYT · Possessive Apostrophe
(JUNE 2025)
Original Text:
“...who is unpopular with many of the shows devoted fans.”
Suggested Edit:
“...who is unpopular with many of the show’s devoted fans.”
Why it matters:
A missing apostrophe turns a possessive phrase into a plural noun, weakening clarity and rhythm. Even small grammatical slips like this can subtly erode trust when they appear in high-profile publications.
NYT · Runaway Commas in Crypto Coverage (May 2025)
Original Text:
Zach Witkoff, a founder of the Trump family crypto firm, World Liberty Financial, revealed that a so-called stablecoin developed by the firm, would be used to complete the transaction between the state-backed Emirati investment firm MGX and Binance, the largest crypto exchange in the world.
Suggested Edit:
Zach Witkoff, a founder of the Trump family crypto firm World Liberty Financial, revealed that a so-called “stablecoin” developed by the firm would be used to complete the transaction between the state-backed Emirati investment firm MGX and Binance, the largest crypto exchange in the world.
Why it matters:
The comma after “developed by the firm” is incorrect and disrupts the sentence’s flow, already disjointed by the number of commas in a single sentence. Additionally, quotation marks around “stablecoin” clarify that the term is being framed with skepticism, as implied by “so-called.” These small shifts improve both clarity and tone in a sentence loaded with technical and political content.
Source:
At a Dubai Conference, Trump’s Conflicts Take Center Stage - The New York Times
WaPo · Duplicate “the” in News Reporting (May 2025)
Original Text:
“…that the “the historical record renders clear…”
Suggested Edit:
“…that the “historical record renders clear…”
Why it matters:
A repeated article ("the the") creates an instant, subconscious disruption in the flow of reading, even in otherwise polished journalism. These small oversights are easy to miss, especially under tight deadlines, but correcting them helps keep serious reporting sounding authoritative and intentional. That split-second disruption can undercut clarity during critical moments in news coverage.
Source:
Judge rules Trump’s use of wartime act for deportations is illegal - The Washington Post