What is Editing?

Editing is a broad term and its meaning differs based on the line of profession or industry.  Editing in terms of writing and publishing refers to the task or work that involves revisions undertaken in the process of writing manuscripts, applied after a writer finishes writing a draft. It is a wide-ranging term that involves multiple levels of editing or a range of editing steps and methods applied to a manuscript to complete the editing process. Editing is broken down into various categories, and each category of editing focuses on checking and rectifying a limited number of aspects in the body or text of a manuscript.

Editing aims at looking at several key aspects such as tone of the content, logical flow of information, coherence and consistency of information, clear meaning of the complete work, precise and concise expression of ideas, accuracy of the information provided vis-à-vis purpose of the work, and content targeting the right audience. Hence, editing is not just about correcting mistakes, but also about making sure that the paper has no errors left from the author’s end.

“Let us look into the meaning of the various types of editing”

1. What is copy editing

Copy editing is the first category and starting step in the editing cycle applied on a draft or a manuscript. As the term suggests, copy editing is a process that involves editing a copy or draft or a manuscript. It is a process that ensures the text is free from errors related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, semantics, terminology, phrasing, and formatting. Copy editing alternatively referred to as (“copy-editing” or “copyediting”) is the process undertaken on a new manuscript or a draft to improve the formatting, style, and accuracy of the text. The purpose of copy editing is to ensure the content is accurate, easy to understand and follow, fit for its intended purpose, and free from language and formatting errors, omission, inconsistency, and repetition of information. Copy editing in the context of publication refers to a process done before typesetting and again before proofreading, which is the final step in the editorial cycle.

2. What is line editing?

Line editing, as the term suggests, is a process in editing that involves revisions applied in a copy or draft by checking and reviewing the manuscript line by line or sentences as a whole and not paragraph wise. Line editing in the professional context is distinguished from copy editing and is segmented as a separate editing process. It is a form of editing that falls between copy editing and developmental editing. Line editing involves an editor who carefully analyzes each line or sentence to ensure the word choice are consistent forming a correct sentence and the intended meaning and impact of the sentence is crisp and tightened. The editor works on the syntax and decides whether to trim, rearrange, shorten or lengthen a sentence to deliver a clearer message. Line editing focuses mainly on the language, and not on improving the topic. Making sure each word is written with an intended purpose to convey an intended meaning. Line editing involves a lot of cutting down of words such unnecessary words that do not help or improve the sentence. If words included do not make a sentence or meaning stronger, than such words are only distracting and increasing the length of the manuscript.

3. What is substantive editing?

Substantive editing (also known as structural editing) refers to the organization and presentation of the draft or manuscript as a whole. Substantive editing focuses on the surface of the article to make sure whether or not it communicates with the targeted audience. This involves checking on the meanings and accuracy on how information is structured and presented. Similar to line editing, it involves tightening sentences, but extends to paragraphs, chapters, and the context to ensure the sentence levels are cohesive enough to form a clear meaning. Substantive editing deals with the actual prose, checking transitions to make sure that information does not appear out of the blue and to make sure the reader will find value from the substance of the article. Substantive editors maintain a strong communication line with authors. They delve deep into the information to uncover what the author is really trying to convey, and exposes partial meanings and information for authors to clarify and provide greater inputs that can be added to strengthen a context. Substantive editors are guides who help the author through the writing of the manuscript by providing a bigger picture on the topic, theme or the content as a whole to broaden up the perspective of authors to come up with greater inputs and links that can be added to improve the overall presentation and strength of the manuscript.