Good editing is unobtrusive. A text that has been professionally edited reads seamlessly. You cannot tell where the author’s work ends and where the editor’s intervention starts, because the editor was able to emulate the author’s writing style.
Why good editing reminds me of my favorite shirt
When I accidentally tore my favorite shirt, I thought it was unfixable. So did a seamstress who told me the only solution was to apply a fashion patch to cover the damage. I then asked the opinion of another seamstress, who specialized in mending. She said it wasn’t easy, but she could fix it. And she did an amazing job. She made my shirt look like new.
A good editor can do the same with a document: undo all the damage and make the text flawless.
Good editing is unobtrusive
Experienced editors will work to achieve three main goals.
First, they will seek to fix all the mistakes in the text.
Second, they will remove any obstacles between the author’s ideas and the reader. Examples of obstacles are convoluted language and sexist terms.
Third, they will suggest any improvements needed to make the text as good as possible given the time and budget limitations.
Good editors do many things, but they don’t change the author’s style, and they don’t impose their own preferences. Their intervention is unobtrusive.
Good editing vs. bad editing
A well-edited text is one that the authors would have produced if they had more time and more writing experience.
You can tell at a glance if a text has been well edited or poorly edited. A well-edited text looks like a brand new shirt. A poorly edited text looks like a shirt with patches that cover the holes in it.
Do you need to hire a freelance editor? Send me a message at editor@languageediting.com.
Related posts:
- Things your freelance editor should tell you
- What I tell people who hire a freelance editor half-heartedly
- Why give detailed instructions to your freelance language editor
Last revised on 18 July 2022
