What is document editing?
Editing refers to checking written text for clarity, readability, and overall flow, as well as making sure grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax are correct. A professional editor can also provide suggestions about the content or other components of a document.
Publishers often offer different levels of editing. Text editing focuses on the language used and focuses primarily on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. The editor will also look at word usage, repetition, inconsistencies, and jargon usage. A professional editor will most likely ask you when you submit your work if your work should follow a particular style. You should let the editor know if the document should follow US or UK English, for example, or anything else particular you need, such as the use of a formal, academic, or business tone.
It’s important that your editor knows what you need from him or her early in the editing process. This includes the level of editing you need, any particular styles your document must follow, and when you need to receive the edited document.
Substantive editing (also called content editing) is the most intensive form of editing. Here you will observe the structure, organization, style and presentation of your document. Sections in your document can be moved, text cut from one part and added to another part, and parts of the document can be rewritten to provide greater clarity.
Most publishers will edit any references or bibliographies included in your work, but you should check with your publisher to ensure this is done as well. References and bibliographies can be difficult to put together correctly, so it helps to have a second set of eyes to review this section. You must also provide the publisher with information about how the references should be formatted.
Most publishers like to communicate with their clients during the editing process. This could be by sending you email queries or adding comments to the document. This lets him know that the editor cares about the work he’s doing and also allows him to participate in the process by letting him know what he wants. Document editors should always be available for questions during and after the editing process.
The final stage of editing is proofreading, where someone makes sure all the mistakes have been fixed. The correction essentially ensures that the editor has done a good job. Most publishers check all copy after it’s edited by their staff because, as noted above, it helps to have a second set of eyes to check things out. A document must go through various stages of editing and review to be as free of errors as possible.
Professional editors generally use change tracking when editing a document. This allows you to see what has changed; you can then accept or reject the changes made. It is important that you, as the author and owner of the document, understand how to use change tracking. Even the most established authors have their work edited and proofread. I’m going to say it again! It always helps to have a second set of eyes to review a document.
Originally published on https://www.EditorWorld.com.