Editing 101: Understanding the 6 Different Types of Editing

You’re here because you’ve written a cookbook, a thesis, a script. You’ve tweaked and prodded at it for too long. Now you want to make it better. That’s where editing comes into play.

Applying the top editing practices makes it easier, but did you know there are different types of editing? Understanding the differences between them won’t just help you communicate with your editor more effectively, but you can also identify which areas of your writing to focus on when it comes to self-editing.

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Table of Contents

    Main Types of Editing

    1. Developmental Editing

    Developmental editing approaches a piece of writing in the same way a jury approaches a case: from all sides. This type of editing (also known as complex or substantive editing) looks at the project as a whole. That’s why editors regard it as one of the more intense forms of editing. Developmental editors look at a wide variety of elements, including:

      • Plot and pacing
      • Characterisation
      • Readability
      • Expectations of the target audience

    That’s why this type of editing can change the project on a fundamental level. It sometimes requires writers to merge, remove, or rewrite sections of a piece. Let’s look at Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling as an example. In the original draft, Harry and Ron crash Mr. Weasley’s Ford Anglia into the Great Lake. Rowling removed this for reasons that had to do with pacing and foreshadowing.

    2. Structural Editing

    Since we compared developmental editing to a jury, then structural editing is the lawyer. The former looks at the case as a whole, the latter needs to look at the structural integrity and the flow of the argument. In other words, structural editing looks at how a piece is put together and how it moves forward. It’s a type of content editing that focuses on:

      • Coherency of language and style
      • Consistency of voice and tone
      • Clarity of presentation

    Take a thesis, for example. It’s supposed to be written in an academically appropriate way, with a clear purpose and conclusion. Any needless repetition or artistic license would negatively impact its academic merit. Structural editing works to avoid this.

    3. Line Editing

    Line editing looks at writing on a more minute scale. It’s similar to structural editing in that it also looks at stylistic consistency (which is why it may also be referred to as stylistic editing), but it’s more refined. Among other things, it checks for:

      • Dialogue inconsistencies
      • Errors in continuity
      • Confusing syntax

    Line edits are an important part of dialogue-heavy writing, such as screenplays and scripts. These depend on line edits to make sure characters sound the same from one scene to another, while also relying on continuity to assist the plot and worldbuilding.

    4. Copy Editing

    Copy editing is one of the more standard types of editing. Also known as language editing, it checks the essential aspects of your writing. Copy editing looks at spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. It’s used to check for:

      • Awkward transitions
      • Lexical errors
      • Verbosity

    In his book, On Writing, Stephen King gives an example of copy editing his story, 1408. He changes the title, cuts words and entire paragraphs, and rewrites sentences to be more succinct. He’s making the story better by smoothing out the kinks.

    5. Fact-Checking

    Speaking of smoothing out kinks, the next editing type is fact-checking. As the name implies, fact-checking requires a look at the accuracy of information. This often involves thorough research to verify details and ensure reliability, especially in specialised fields like medicine, law, and science. However, it’s equally applicable to all forms of writing. Fact-checking is essential for avoiding:

      • Anachronisms
      • Homeric nods
      • Duplicate errors

    If you’re editing a story about a science class in the 90s, ask yourself: How many planets do we have in our solar system? Encyclopaedias from the 1990s would say we have 9. But modern sources say we have 8. Pluto lost its status as a planet in 2006. It might be relevant.

    6. Proofreading

    Proofreading is the last stage of the editing process. It’s the steam press of editing, attempting to remove any mistakes overlooked in the previous editing runs. Proofreading attempts to identify and fix errors concerning:

      • Spelling and grammar
      • Misplaced words
      • Sentence and paragraph structures

    Now, how many times have you sent an important email, only to realise that you’ve made a spelling mistake? It wasn’t supposed to be wether but whether; or, worse still, the infamous mixing-up of their, there, and they’re. Proofreading prevents that from happening.

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    Why Should You Care About the Different Types of Editing?

    Understanding the different types of editing helps you make more informed and professional decisions with regard to your work. The point of editing is to make writing better. If you understand the types of editing, you’ll be able to improve your self-editing skills and adapt editing principles more effectively. You’ll also understand what you’re paying for when it comes to hiring professional editors, communicate with them more clearly, and know what to expect from writing that’s been through the editing process.

    Not Your Type?

    All writing is individual, which means that each piece of work may require a different combination of edits. Some writing might need restructuring, some might need a complete rewrite, while others might only need thorough proofreading. If you’re not sure, it’s always good to get some feedback.

    FAQs

    How do I know what type of editing my writing needs?

    It’s a valid question. You’ve probably been looking at your writing so long that you can’t tell right from wrong. The most effective way to find out what type of editing your writing needs would be to request an evaluation from a professional editor. Depending on the company, an evaluation like this can either be included in the quoting process, or it can be done for a specified fee.

    Will my writing need all the types of editing?

    Each piece of writing is different, which means that the answer to this would depend on various factors, including:

    1. The state of the writing (Have you dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s?)

    2. The type of writing (Short story? Novel? Newspaper article? Thesis?)

    3. The development stage of the project (Is it a first draft? Has it been rewritten several times?)

    How much does editing cost?

    This depends on the fees of the editor, the type of edits your writing requires, and/or the price per word/hour charged by the chosen company. It’s important to note that developmental and structural editing are more expensive, since they’re very comprehensive, while copy editing and proofreading should be more affordable. Again, it depends on multiple factors. The only way to know for sure is to request a quote.

    Can I edit my own writing?

    Of course! Lots of writers edit their own writing, but using a professional service is usually what separates average writers from good ones. Professional editors are trained to know what to fix and how to fix it. They’ll be able to give you insights into your potential audience and assist you in improving the quality of your writing.

    Blue Leaf Team

    The Blue Leaf Editing team has over 10 years of combined editing, publishing, and book industry experience. We’re passionate about content and storytelling, and sharing our knowledge with others.