Glossary of Editing Terms

Copyediting

Copyediting involves reading a manuscript to correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax; clarify inconsistencies; and resolve inaccuracies. Copyediting can also involve improving style through deleting unnecessary words, substituting better words for awkward or incorrect ones, and rearranging sentences within paragraphs.

Copy editors make corrections and suggestions, and may ask questions (queries) of the author. They typically refer to a specified style guide and dictionary.

Developmental (substantive) editing

Developmental or substantive editing is foundational work with an author to develop a manuscript that may be at an early-stage, rough, or incomplete. Developmental editing considers the overall shape of a manuscript, looks for gaps in logic or content, and may recommend that certain material be expanded, condensed, moved to footnotes or endnotes, or removed entirely.

A developmental editor may also suggest changes in structure: for example, creating a new outline with new or different chapters or headings, or recommending changes in tone or emphasis.

Developmental editing should be done before copyediting, since structural changes can make line-level edits obsolete.

Line editing

Line editing addresses writing at the sentence and paragraph level. Line editing may involve restructuring awkward sentences, eliminating redundancy, examining causality, tightening prose, and ensuring smooth transitions between ideas. 

A line editor works through the manuscript line by line, improving clarity, flow, and readability without altering the author's voice.

Line editing is distinct from copyediting, which focuses on correctness, and from developmental editing, which addresses structure and content. It should be done after developmental editing and before copyediting.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final editing step before publication. It involves reading for typographical, spacing, and punctuation errors, and bringing any problems or inconsistencies to the attention of the editor or publisher. Proofreading is often done on typeset page layouts (“proofs”) in PDF form.

A proofreader refers to a specified style guide and/or style sheet, and a dictionary.

Translation editing

Translation editing is the review and revision of a translated text to ensure accuracy, consistency, and idiomatic expression in the target language.

A translation editor works with both a source text and a target text, checking that the meaning of the original has been accurately conveyed and that the translation reads fluently for its intended audience. Translation editing may involve correcting mistranslations, adjusting tone, resolving ambiguities, and ensuring consistency in terminology. In addition to fluency in both languages, subject-matter knowledge is often essential.