Copy editing template: tighten copy and apply your house style
Paste a story, say what to focus on and the target length. Byline tightens the copy, fixes errors and applies your style guide without changing the facts or the quotes.
How it works
Open Copy Edit in your workspace and fill in what you know. Rough notes are fine; required fields are marked.
| You give | Example |
|---|---|
| Paste your copy | Paste the story text you want edited here… |
| House style (optional) | British spelling, active voice, max 400 words |
| Edit focus (optional) | Tighten to 300 words, fix passive voice, improve lead |
| Target word count (optional) | 300 (leave blank to maintain length) |
Press Write and the draft appears as it is written. Edit it, then save it, translate it, turn it into a script or social posts, or send it to your editor.
How newsrooms use it
- Set your house style once in the workspace and it is applied to every edit.
- Ask for a specific focus: “cut to 400 words”, “active voice”, “simplify for radio”.
- Compare versions in the draft history before you accept the edit.
Accuracy first
Byline writes only from the facts you give it. It never invents quotes, sources or figures, and when something important is missing it marks the gap, like [CHECK: name of the spokesperson], for you to fill. You check every fact before publishing.
Questions
Will it change quotes?
No. Quotes are kept word for word; only the surrounding copy is edited.
Is the Copy Edit template free?
Yes, it is included in the free plan.
Which AI models can I use?
You can choose Claude, GPT, Gemini, Llama or Mistral, depending on your plan.
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