The question “What is editing?” doesn’t have only one answer. But many professional editors will define editing like this:
Editing is the process of reviewing a written text to correct and improve it so that it meets the needs of both the person who commissioned the work and the reader.
Editing comes after writing and before proofreading. Ideally, both come before publishing.
What does editing entail?
When professional editors review a document, they do all of the following:
- Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Improve style, language, structure, transitions, vocabulary, and readability
- Ensure consistency of style, language, and punctuation
- Clarify meaning
- Fix wordiness
- Suggest alternatives to biased language
- Ensure the document is fit for purpose
In addition, as communication specialists, freelance editors can also do the following:
- Identify flaws in arguments
- Act as impartial readers
- Make the document more engaging to read
- Speed up manuscript publication
- Make the message appear more credible and the author more persuasive
- Identify factual errors
- Act as writing coaches
- Offer a new perspective on a topic
What is editing type or level?
These days, few freelance editors work on hardcopy. Most freelance editors do on-screen editing, or electronic editing, regardless of the type they do.
There are two major types of editing based on the genre of the copy: fiction editing and nonfiction editing. Some of the types of nonfiction editing are scientific, academic, technical, online, and book editing. Each type can have several levels of editorial intervention.
The level of editing a document needs depends on the manuscript production stage. Developmental editing and substantive editing happen early during manuscript production. Copyediting happens later, and it comprises language editing and mechanical editing.
So, in short, what is editing? Editing is the process of fixing the errors in a manuscript and making it fit for purpose.
Do you need to hire a freelance editor? Send me a message at editor@ languageediting.com.
Related posts:
- In short, what is copyediting?
- What is developmental editing in nonfiction?
- In short, what is proofreading?
Last revised on 6 August 2022
