Adam Blumer - Services - Editing and Proofreading

Services—Editing and Proofreading

Copyediting or Editing

Copyediting or "line editing" means making text correct and readable on several levels. I check sentence construction, grammar, syntax, and general language usage. This stage is objective, since I apply standard grammar rules. At this level, I don't evaluate how well the writer communicates his or her overall message. I deal with the details of individual words and expressions. Here's a list of what I check:

Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar
Noun/pronoun and subject/verb agreement
Parallel construction
Word usage ("regardless" instead of "irregardless," etc.)
Consistency of style*
Flagging statements that are unclear or seem incorrect
Adjective- and adverb-heavy prose
Passive voice
Checking sources and Bible verses (according to the desired version)
Wordiness
Sentence and paragraph length

*I check some references based on requested style rules. By style, I mean the rules by which certain things (that are subjective) appear in print. For example, are numbers presented as numerals, or are they spelled out? Are names of the books of the Bible written out or abbreviated? The most common style rules reflect those in The Chicago Manual of Style.

Copyproofing or Proofreading

This is the final check, usually of a publication in layout, before printing. Here's a list of what I check:

Typos
Extra spaces
Misnumbering
Consistency of font and font size
Incorrect word breaks (hyphenation)
Widows and orphans
Headers and footers
Table of contents
Page numbering
Use of single and double quotation marks

Substantive or Clarification Editing

This type of editing refers to evaluating the written communication as a whole. Are ideas clear? Does the author make his point? Do his thoughts flow in a logical and organized progression? Does he use transitions correctly? Does he use topical sentences? Is his tone consistent throughout the piece? Does he have a formal tone or an informal tone?

Today's Verse