About Editing
Types of Editing
Developmental Editing (sometimes known as substantive or content editing): looks at the big picture and structure of the manuscript, points out things such as lack of supporting information to an argument, reliance on unreliable data, jumping from one concept to another, and in general deals with substantive revisions to strengthen the arguments made in the manuscript. Not to be confused with ghostwriting a book, in which an author hires someone else to produce the manuscript from scratch but takes credit for the work.
Line Editing: focuses not on content but on the prose itself, such as paragraph structure, sentence flow, and word choices. It points out things such as wordiness, repetitive words, repetitive sentences, and redundancies. Line editing most often makes use of MS Word's "track changes" to suggest rewrites.
Copy Editing: checks on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Most editors combine line editing with copy editing. There may be some rewriting of a sentence for the sake of clarity but does not revise style or content. "Track changes" is standard for this kind of editing.
Proofreading: often confused with copy editing, but is not part of the editing process. Proofreaders compare the copyedited manuscript to the printer's proof to ensure that no errors were introduced during the publishing process. They look at formatting, end-of-line breaks, spacing, typographical errors, and will also point out spelling and punctuation mistakes.
Line Editing: focuses not on content but on the prose itself, such as paragraph structure, sentence flow, and word choices. It points out things such as wordiness, repetitive words, repetitive sentences, and redundancies. Line editing most often makes use of MS Word's "track changes" to suggest rewrites.
Copy Editing: checks on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Most editors combine line editing with copy editing. There may be some rewriting of a sentence for the sake of clarity but does not revise style or content. "Track changes" is standard for this kind of editing.
Proofreading: often confused with copy editing, but is not part of the editing process. Proofreaders compare the copyedited manuscript to the printer's proof to ensure that no errors were introduced during the publishing process. They look at formatting, end-of-line breaks, spacing, typographical errors, and will also point out spelling and punctuation mistakes.
The Editing Process
In most cases, I combine, content, line and copy editing during one first read. Depending on how extensive the edits and suggested changes are, after the author has reviewed each change, I may do a second read. In all cases, I support the author's unique editing needs. Some may need just a simple copyedit, while others may need help with sentence construction (line editing), and still others may need extensive developmental editing. Some have a finished manuscript that needs editing; others are in the process of writing and need developmental support and coaching.
Editing is a creative and collaborative process between author and editor. Thus, while paying attention to the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence construction, I will also keep in mind the following points as needed:
Sometimes an edited manuscript will need a second review, particularly if the author makes extensive changes after the first round of edits. Sometimes it is enough to highlight the sections that need a second editing review; but at other times, if there have been reorganizational shifts of written materials, a second full editing review of the manuscript will be needed. Again, the work of editing is a collaborate effort between author and editor, but the author always makes the final decision.
Editing is a creative and collaborative process between author and editor. Thus, while paying attention to the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence construction, I will also keep in mind the following points as needed:
- What is the overall thesis or "story"?
- How do the ideas progress from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph?
- Syntax. What's not clear?
- What needs to be shifted around to support the overall aim of the thesis or story?
- What needs re-writing?
Sometimes an edited manuscript will need a second review, particularly if the author makes extensive changes after the first round of edits. Sometimes it is enough to highlight the sections that need a second editing review; but at other times, if there have been reorganizational shifts of written materials, a second full editing review of the manuscript will be needed. Again, the work of editing is a collaborate effort between author and editor, but the author always makes the final decision.