Editing

What is Editing?

Many people think that editing and proofreading are two names for the same thing. However, the editing process serves a different function to proofreading, and occurs at a different stage in the publication process. Structural editing and copyediting involve in-depth reading and checking of a document.

The editing process includes the following considerations:

• reviewing language and style to ensure that the meaning of the text is clear
• ensuring the written content is acceptable and well expressed
• checking that the content (both text and images) is consistent and factually correct.

The Role of an Editor

The role of an editor is to ensure that all content within a document communicates the writers message clearly to the reader.

Editors assist writers by:

• correcting spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors
• suggesting where different words could be used to better effect
• checking for use of the correct tense and person
• pointing out where a phrase, sentence, or paragraph is clumsy, out of place or ambiguous
• eliminating redundancies or repetition in the text
• inserting linking sentences between paragraphs, transitional phrases, or sentences that help to summarise the main point 
• highlighting any issues in relation to fact, plot sequence, timelines or logic that appear to be incorrect or inconsistent.

Different Levels of Editing

Structural Editing  

During the structural editing process, the editor’s objective is to improve the narrative flow of the written content. This involves providing suggestions to the author (or even rewriting certain sections) to produce a uniform reading level, tone and voice within the document.

A few ways in which structural editing can improve readability of text include:

• changing passive voice to active voice
• rearranging sentences, paragraphs or sections for greater clarity
• shortening (or occasionally lengthening) the text to ensure that it conforms to document layout specifications.

Copyediting 

Copyediting involves checking the text to ensure that style and consistency are maintained throughout a written document or book manuscript. The editor will review the document word-for-word and line-by-line in order to identify and correct any spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. The relationships between text and graphics in the document are also checked, including formatting of paragraphs and headings, numbering, image/photograph captions (if relevant), and any  inconsistencies in the page layout of the publication.

Why Trust Us With Your Written Content?

We hold ourselves to the highest standards when working on your written content. For all editing and proofreading projects, we refer to the following Australian publishing industry standard references:

• Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers (sixth edition) for grammar, punctuation and style
• Macquarie Dictionary (fifth edition) for spelling.

However, if there are reference materials specific to your subject area, or your business publications need to conform to a specific style guide, please advise us so we can cater to your special requirements.

How We Can Help You

At Epiphany Editing & Publishing we can help writers who want to improve their writing – whether for personal, academic or business reasons – to optimise their work. We check your written Word document for obvious errors such as spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. In addition, we ensure that the text is consistent throughout, well organised and structured, and the language level is appropriate for your intended audience.

We recognise that you’ve invested a lot of time and effort in your writing so we’re always happy to discuss your specific requirements before commencing a structural and/or copyediting project. Our professional editing service is suited to a wide range of clients, ranging from university students or academics, small business owners, corporate and government organisations and self-publishing authors.

Editing Packages

Our professional editing and proofreading service will ensure that your document is highly polished so your words sparkle and your message is crystal clear.

We offer to a range of professional editing packages to help you to prepare your Word document for your reading audience.

Click on the button below to check out our professional editing packages.