Services
Types of Editing
Most people who don’t know an editor or don’t have much to do with editing are quite surprised to learn there are different types of editing. Often they’re all collapsed into ‘proofreading’, which technically is the final stage of preparing a text for publication after copy editing and after the typesetter delivers the proofs.
To make things more confusing, there is some disagreement among editors themselves about what to call the different types of editing. Bearing this in mind, here is a brief outline of the various services I can provide, including developmental editing, line editing and copy editing. This doesn’t include proofreading, which isn’t my focus.
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing focuses on the big picture: the structure, content and overall organisation of a manuscript or written piece.
Unlike copy editing, which concentrates on grammar, punctuation and style, developmental editing is about refining your ideas, improving flow and strengthening the overall coherence of your work.
My developmental editing service is mainly for larger projects like books, reports or complex articles. It is a highly collaborative process aimed at making the work more engaging, effective and marketable.
Line Editing
Line editing involves a thorough and detailed focus on the style, flow and clarity of your written piece at the paragraph and sentence level. It usually requires more intervention in the text than developmental or copy editing.
Line editing addresses issues like awkward phrasing, wordiness, repetition, or inconsistent tone. I’ll help you improve sentence structure, enhance readability by suggesting stronger word choices, and eliminate unnecessary words or phrases to tighten the prose.
This kind of editing is often useful for non-native English-speaking authors engaged in writing a report, extended presentation, thesis or journal article.
Copy Editing
Copy editing entails a thorough review of written content to ensure clarity, accuracy and consistency.
This type of editing focuses on correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax errors, as well as ensuring that your writing adheres to a chosen style guide; for example, the New Oxford Style Manual or The Chicago Manual of Style.
Beyond just fixing technical errors, copy editing ensures that your writing flows logically and is easy to read, while maintaining your voice and intent. I will also fact-check content and suggest minor revisions to improve clarity without altering the overall structure of the work.