Write, edit, publish. It’s the sequence of events most people know, but it’s the details of the second step that can easily be overlooked. Editing is such a broad term and can really mean anything. Trimming the fat. Expanding for clarity. Fact-checking. Red pen. Giant X’s. Scribbles in margins.
With editorial services being one of the main offerings at Noteworthy Communications, I often have to whittle down what a client really needs when they want to hire Noteworthy to handle their document.
So, what are the different kinds of editing, in what order do they happen, and how can a person even tell what kind of editing their project needs?
Content Editing
Content editing, or structural or developmental editing, is a bird’s eye view of the manuscript that occurs once a rough draft is completed. This includes a review of the entire document to manage the flow of the work, focusing on the structure and layout to optimize the goal of the project.
Line Editing
Line editing is more of a fine-tooth-comb where every single sentence in a manuscript is massaged to weave it into a cohesive piece that will draw readers in. Rather than correcting errors, line editing is about establishing consistency of voice and style.
Copyediting
Next is copyediting, which is what most people think of when they think of editing. It involves checking the manuscript for errors such as bad grammar, misspellings, and punctuation.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final type of editing to take place in the process, including once final formatting and layout is complete. The project should be in its final form, including headings, subheadings, graphics, and pull-out quotes, because plenty of mistakes can take place when turning a document into a full presentation ready for publication.
Oftentimes, when potential clients reach out for services, all they know is that they have words on a page and they are not ready to be viewed by the public. However, any decent editor should be able to break down these services when discussing what’s needed.
While there are other examples of editing that writers and editors utilize when working within a manuscript, they tend to be very specific for the type of document they are working in, from research papers to fiction and everywhere in between.
To make sure whatever work you’re sharing, whether within your organization or with the wider public, is clear, polished, informative, and entertaining, seek out the professionalism editorial services of Noteworthy Communications.