Editing versus Proofreading
Do I need an editor or proofreader (or both)?
Editing is a process of constructive critique to improve the effectiveness of writing. Editors help authors to communicate arguments and information clearly, logically, and understandably. Proofreading simply corrects details such as spelling, grammar, and page numbering. Long, formal pieces of writing (i.e. books and journal articles) often require both services, as different skills are required for editing and proofreading this kind of work. For shorter texts, such as newsletters, websites, and CVs, your editor may be able to perform sufficient proofreading.
What exactly does editing entail?
Developmental editing analyzes a piece of writing as a whole. Line editing takes a more detailed approach. Both of these aim to improve the structure and coherence of the points argued and to ensure that information is clearly expressed in a way that is appropriate for and understandable to the intended audience. Copy editing attends more closely to the nuances of writing style, such as word choice, consistent use of past or present tense, avoiding the passive voice, varying the length of sentences, etc.
Why I am an editor and not a proofreader:
Quite simply, editing requires more thought and knowledge. My PhD training honed my ability to think logically, to approach problems creatively, and to structure arguments for maximum impact. My teaching experience trained me to present information clearly and understandably so that complex concepts are accessible and entertaining to broad audiences. I am a "big picture thinker"; my greatest talent is for distilling the main points of a text and helping authors to convey them effectively. I have great attention for detail as well, especially when ensuring that the details support an author's main goals. This process is much more complicated than proofreading. So, while I am happy to correct some grammar, punctuation, and typos, my expertise would be wasted on doing this alone. If your document requires a large amount of proofreading, I will recommend that you hire a dedicated proofreader to help you polish your final draft after we finish editing it together.
Contact Information
email: christine@christinebianco.com
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