Read carefully through the story for content, without making any changes. Reading the piece through entirely without focusing on mistakes gives the editor an idea of what it is about and a sense of flow. Skipping this step can result in making seemingly harmless "corrections" that could alter the story's structure or style.
Read through the piece a second time, carefully checking for spelling and grammar issues. This includes checking names of places, people, organizations, companies and brand names for consistent and proper spelling. Check verb tenses for consistency. Check punctuation and capitalization throughout the piece. This step may require more than one read through.
Check the story for style. Its style depends on where it will be submitted. Online style guides are available for everything from Canadian Press (CP) and Associated Press (AP) to Chicago and Turabian styles of writing and citation. Editors can also purchase style books, but this can become costly as new versions are often released annually. Some style books, including AP's, are available as an online subscription.
Read through the story again, checking for flow. Ensure all paragraphs transition smoothly, without any odd or unnecessary sentences. Check that the copy is clear, readable and direct.
Ensure the text and headings adhere to the style's regulated size and font. Check the correctness of page numbers, footnotes, graphics appendices, bibliography and citations. If you find hyperlinks in the text, test them to see if they open.