Editing is a major part of the writing process
Editing is the process of assessing the effectiveness of written communication. It involves
reviewing and analyzing text to identify and correct structural problems (i.e. issues with the substance of the text) and
surface errors (i.e. spelling, punctuation, grammar, and word usage).
There are
two levels of editing.
- Light editing also known as copyediting
involves identifying and correcting misspelled words, inconsistencies with word usage, capitalization errors, and grammar
and punctuation errors. This level of editing is useful for documents that are well-structured and solidly written but need
a basic review to catch relatively minor mistakes.
- Substantive editing
is more complex than copyediting. It involves altering the content of a document to improve clarity, accuracy, readability,
style, and organization. This may include rewriting sentences, paragraphs, or sections of a document to ensure that
it is cohesive, well-thought out, and delivers a message that resonates with the audience.
