Types of Editing
(C) Elleldi Studios 2010
My aim as an editor is to support the writer’s vision by ensuring that the text is technically accurate, clear in its content and presentation, and is a pleasure to read.
Every text that comes to an editor is unique and will have its own unique requirements. As a general guide, there are four types of editing which may be employed:
PROOF-READING
Proof-reading is appropriate for those texts which have already been well edited and simply require checking over by a professional and objective eye. Proof-reading entails a thorough reading of the text and subsequent amendment of errors in spelling and punctuation. Only the most obvious grammatical editing would be employed.
Proof-reading is usually completed at a rate of 10-12 pages per hour.
BASIC EDITING
Basic editing is appropriate for texts which are well-written but still require some minor structural changes, improvements to rhythm and flow, sentence polishing and grammatical correction.
Basic editing is usually completed at a rate of 3-4 pages per hour.
COMPREHENSIVE EDITING
This type of editing is appropriate for texts which require a writer's skill to transform the work into pleasurable and marketable reading. The writer and editor work more closely together, creating possible changes in structure, style and formatting. Comprehensive editing may include some re-writing by the editor, although the final decisions always rest with the writer.
Comprehensive editing is usually completed at a rate of 1-2 pages per hour.
RE-WRITING & GHOST-WRITING
Re-writing and ghost-writing are appropriate for authors who can provide sound information, but find it difficult to convey this information to their readership. The relationship between author and editor is crucial, as the editor is required to impart the author's vision in an authentic and powerful way.
Time estimates for this type of editing depend wholly upon the project.
Every text that comes to an editor is unique and will have its own unique requirements. As a general guide, there are four types of editing which may be employed:
PROOF-READING
Proof-reading is appropriate for those texts which have already been well edited and simply require checking over by a professional and objective eye. Proof-reading entails a thorough reading of the text and subsequent amendment of errors in spelling and punctuation. Only the most obvious grammatical editing would be employed.
Proof-reading is usually completed at a rate of 10-12 pages per hour.
BASIC EDITING
Basic editing is appropriate for texts which are well-written but still require some minor structural changes, improvements to rhythm and flow, sentence polishing and grammatical correction.
Basic editing is usually completed at a rate of 3-4 pages per hour.
COMPREHENSIVE EDITING
This type of editing is appropriate for texts which require a writer's skill to transform the work into pleasurable and marketable reading. The writer and editor work more closely together, creating possible changes in structure, style and formatting. Comprehensive editing may include some re-writing by the editor, although the final decisions always rest with the writer.
Comprehensive editing is usually completed at a rate of 1-2 pages per hour.
RE-WRITING & GHOST-WRITING
Re-writing and ghost-writing are appropriate for authors who can provide sound information, but find it difficult to convey this information to their readership. The relationship between author and editor is crucial, as the editor is required to impart the author's vision in an authentic and powerful way.
Time estimates for this type of editing depend wholly upon the project.