Each project is different, and each client is different. I’ll work with you to establish the best editorial process for you and for your client.
Editing can be broken down into three subsets: substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading. However, because your requirements are unique, the services I provide are tailored to your needs and often will include a combination of some or all of these editorial tasks. I’m here to make your copy shine!
Substantive Editing
In-depth editorial review of content and stylistic presentation
Substantive editing focuses on content, structure, language, and style. Suggestions and revisions are designed to improve the flow, accuracy of language, and writing quality of a document for greater clarity and consistency.
Content – Is the content clearly presented and well organized?
Structure – Are the topics you need to discuss in the right order? Is the argument logically developed? Do the sentences fit well together?
Language – Is the phrasing appropriate for the reader? Do you use the right words?
Style – Is the tone correct for the piece?
Copyediting
Ensuring that the copy is clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent
The copyediting process removes mistakes, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies that could confuse your reader. The focus is on the details of language, including clarity, accuracy, style and terminology, grammar, spelling and punctuation, and layout.
Clarity – Do your sentences make sense? Do they say what you want them to say in a clear and accessible manner? Is jargon kept to a minimum?
Accuracy – Is the terminology correct? Do the style and formatting match the house style? (If there is no style guide, Bitnar Editorial will create one.) Are headers, footers, pages, and captions in the proper format and placement? Is the document consistent with the client’s branding?
Grammar – Is there subject/verb agreement? Are there any dangling participles or misplaced modifiers? Are the sentences too long or complex?
Phrasing – Is the phrasing awkward? Is there too much repetition of content? Is the style appropriate for the target audience?
Consistency – Is the content consistent across all documents? Is it consistent with the most up-to-date information? Are all cross-references correctly crossed, and the links linked?
Proofreading
The final professional review
Proofreading makes sure that your copy has ZERO grammatical errors, ZERO spelling errors, and ZERO typographical errors before the document goes to print or is posted online. This is the last professional review before the document is final.
Grammar – Is every sentence correct, with subject matching verb? Are there any remaining comma splices? Are en- and em-dashes used correctly?
Spelling – Was anything missed in previous reviews? Is “Wednesday” really correct? Is it “health,” not “heath?”
Typographical Errors – Are there any dropped lines or bad line breaks? Do orphan or widow lines appear on the printed document? Have errant commas or hashtags been eliminated?