The Different Types of Editing

How different types of editing benefit your writing.

There are several editing stages that manuscripts go through before they can be published. The four major types of editing include developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading.

Before hiring an editor to work on your manuscript, it helps to learn the difference in the different types of edits, so you know what kind of edits you need.

Developmental Edits

In developmental editing, the editor focuses on big picture issues, such as problems with the plot, character development, pacing, structure, and form. Most of the time, developmental editing occurs after a manuscript's first or second draft.

Developmental editors consider the genre and reader expectations of the manuscript to shape their feedback. Different genres have different elements that must be present. For example, in a romance, the book must have a central love story with a satisfying ending; in a mystery, the book must have a problem that is solved by the end.

If you hire a developmental editor, don’t expect to receive edits on your sentence structure or grammar. This is because the editor knows the text can change drastically from draft to draft. Depending on the shape of your manuscript, you may need more than one developmental edit.

Line Edits

Line editing happens after your manuscript is structurally sound. At this stage, editors take the text line by line and focus on the language. Line edits make sure your language is clear and gets across your meaning. Your line editor may draw attention to the following:

• Confusing language or scenes

• Different language that could enhance your reader’s experience

• Repeated information

• Run-on sentences

While a line editor may address grammar and syntax, line edits differ from copyedits. Line editors have more freedom to suggest voice, style, and content changes.

Read more: What Makes a Story Good?

Copyedits

Copyedits ensure no errors in the manuscript’s grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency. Copyedits are more technical than line edits, and a copyeditor will make sure the manuscript is as accurate and error-free as possible.

During copyediting, editors maintain your voice and stylistic choices. To help do this, editors often create a style sheet to keep track of the spelling, grammar, character descriptions, and timeline. A style sheet also typically includes a list of terms the editor has verified for correctness and references that the copyeditor used to edit your manuscript. The most common industry standard sources in American fiction are the Chicago Manual of Style and the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Download a free style sheet template.

Proofreads

A proofreader reads the “proof” of the manuscript (called a galley). This happens after the publisher has typeset the manuscript.

The proofreader is looking for errors in the manuscript that happened after typesetting, such as formatting and typographical issues. Proofreading also ensures that the front and back matter, headers, and pagination are as error-free as possible for publication.

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