What is editing, and how can an editor help you?

Let’s dive right in and talk about this.

Broadly speaking, editing can be defined as the process of improving your writing. There are different types of editing (developmental editing, structural editing, mechanical editing, and so on). Later posts will discuss these different types of editing in more detail. For now, let’s talk about what copy editing is and how it can help you get published.

Copy editing: our specialty

This can also be spelled as one word: copyediting. This comes after the editor of the book or article has looked at larger issues of content and suggested any major cuts or additions. Copy editing addresses issues such as:

• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Word choice
• Repetitive words or phrases
• General improvement of the writer’s written language

A related term is line editing.

This is closely related to copy editing and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Line editing involves inspection of the clarity and eloquence of your writing.

When working with non-native speakers or writers of English, Clear English Editing often combines copy editing and line editing.

We look at such things as:

• Grammar that may confuse non-native speakers
• Word choice
• Style in written English
• Phrasing
• English syntax
• The writer’s personal voice
• Consistent phrasing
• Translations of foreign terms into English

In short, our work pays close attention to anything that may trip up non-native speakers.

(Confused by or uncertain about the meanings of some of these terms? We’ll be looking at some definitions and examples in later posts.)

So we’ve talked about what editing is. Now we get to our second question.

How can editing help you?

Let’s say you’re a professor, graduate student, or researcher, and you want your dissertation accepted or your book or article published. Copy editing can help improve:

• Your writing…
• Your understanding of the English language…
• And your chances of being published!

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