Editing

Editing incorporates a broad range of stages when preparing a manuscript or document for publication. For example, in a publishing firm, there are numerous editor roles, including: commissioning editor, structural editor and copy editor. Generally, freelance editors offer their services for the latter two roles, so I'll define these roles here.

Structural Editing

Also referred to as substantive editing, structural editing involves the assessment of the overall structure and workability of a manuscript or document. This stage considers if the text is logical, presented in an organised fashion, relevant to the proposed target audience (including appropriate language) and accurate. Structural editing also picks up flaws in consistency and chronology.

Copy Editing

Also referred to in the publishing industry as line editing and sub-editing, copy editing involves picking up smaller errors in spelling (including differentation between the different version of English i.e. Australian English, British English, American English), grammar, punctuation, facts and consistency. Copy Editing also involves the checking of references, appropriate citation, tables, illustrations, heading size/font consistency and web links.

Proofreading

Although there is some overlap between editing and proofreading, proofreading is considered a separate process in the preparation of a manuscript or document. Proofreading generally occurs at the end of the editorial process, checking for any previously missed mistakes and ensuring that all alterations from the previous copy editing process have been incorporated into the final proof. If a document is only submitted for proofreading at the end of the drafting process, the proofreader will review the document for typographical errors, spelling, grammar, punctuation, layout and consistency. A good proofreader will check every word, letter, punctuation mark, space, heading size and paragraph layout, and will generally read the entire document two or more times.