LYN-G Indexing & Editing Services
LYNNE M. GRIMES, MLS / STM (Science-Technical-Medical) & Academic Content Specialist
EDITING SERVICES FAQ
PROOFING (PROOFREADING) is essentially the final state of the editing processing. Proofreading consists of comparing the latest stage of the text/manuscript (often final proof pages) against the immediate preceding stage and marking the discrepancies within the text. Proofreading includes any or all of the following:
- Checking proof pages against typesetting specifications.
- Checking proof pages for problems in page make-up, layout, color separation, type, etc.
- Checking proof pages against an editorial style sheet and/or manual for inconsistencies in style.
- Reading for typographical errors and/or sense without reading against the copy.
- Querying and/or correcting errors and inconsistencies that may have been missed by an editor and/or author.
COPY EDITING (LINE EDITING) is performed at one of three levels (light, moderate, or heavy) and includes any or all of the following:
- Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and/or word usage, while, at the same time, preserving the meaning, intent, and voice of the original text.
- Checking for or imposing a consistent style and format.
- Preparing a style sheet that documents all style and format issues.
- Reading for overall clarity and sense on behalf of the prospective audience/s.
- Querying the appropriate party/parties (for example, in-house editor/s, production editor/s, author/s, etc.) regarding apparent errors and inconsistencies.
- Cross-checking references, art, figures, tables, equations, etc. for consistency with their respective mentions within the text.
- Coding the manuscript for typesetting.
- Noting permissions required to publish copyrighted material.
SUBSTANTIVE EDITING includes any or all of the following:
- Identifying and resolving problems of overall clarity and/or accuracy.
- Reorganizing paragraphs, sections, and/or chapters to improve the order in which the text is presented.
- Writing and/or rewriting text segments to improve overall readability and information flow.
- Revising any or all aspects of the text to improve overall presentation.
- Consulting with others (for example, in-house editor/s and author/s, etc.) regarding any issues of concern.
- Incorporating responses to queries and suggestions into the manuscript.
- Creating a new draft of the manuscript.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING occurs at the early stages of manuscript development and preparation and includes any or all of the following:
- Working with the client (in-house editor/s, etc.) as well as author/s to develop a manuscript from the initial concept, outline, or draft (or, a combination of all three) through any number of subsequent drafts.
- Making suggestions regarding content, organization, and/or presentation, based on: analysis of competing works, comments of expert reviewers, market analysis of the client and/or author/s, pertinent reference sources, etc.
- Rewriting, writing, and/or researching manuscript sections, as needed.
- Suggesting topics and/or providing information about topics for consideration by the client and/or author/s.
TECHNICAL EDITING may include copyediting, substantive editing, and/or developmental editing of specialized technical works, including:
- Technical books.
- Technical documents and/or reports.
- Mathematical-related books, papers, and/or documents.
- Scientific-related books, papers, and/or documents.
- Computer hardware, computer software, programming, and/or other manuals and documentation.
- Online Help systems and/or documentation.
NOTE: Portions of this page adapted from information available from the EFA and the Northwest Independent Editors Guild .
Last Update: 12/09/2009
Copyright 2007-2009. LYN-G Indexing & Editing Services. All rights reserved.
