Editing, schmediting. It’s just flipping some words around, throwing in a word or two to adjust some concepts, and then putting a nice, big all-finished bow on the document. After all, there can’t be more to it than that, right?
Well, no. There’s so much more to editing than that. But first things first. Yes, schmediting isn’t really a word, but it did flow, right? And it helped you to follow my point, right? Right! And that is what editing does; it helps you to discover the author’s point sooner rather than later, clearly navigate the concept that runs along that point, and arrive at a solid, well-developed conclusion. At least, that’s how I view it. Others might differ in their perspectives, though, and that’s just fine.
Editing is essentially reviewing text for content, accuracy, clarity, and consistency to ensure that the content presented is cohesive, understandable, and on topic. And there are different levels of editing with differing areas of focus.
Substantive editing focuses on content and ensuring that the information is accurate, stated appropriately, and rises to the requested level of thoroughness. Whereas, copyediting is primarily concerned with consistency and continuity.
All levels of editing are needed and beneficial to both the author and the audience.
Now, you might be tempted to bypass the editing stage of the communication process, and your communication might still be understandable. However, skipping the editing stage increases the likelihood that your communication contains errors, does not accurately reflect what you intended to express, and might not truly be appropriate for your audience, at least not in its current state. And without preserving that valuable editing time, you won’t be aware of the key concepts that you thought you included but unknowingly omitted.
Yes, editing does take some time, and depending on the length, complexity, and format of your communication the time required to perform a solid edit could be lengthy. But if properly and accurately conveying your ideas and thoughts, as well as increasing the possibility that you will be heard and better understood, are important to you, then skipping the editing stage just isn’t a viable option.
If your work needs editing but you’re short on time, as many of us are more often than we might like, there is still hope for you. Hiring a quality editor is often just a click or a phone call away.
We at Sanguine Mango offer a full range of editing services for your needs and we will gladly work with you to ensure that your communication aligns with your vision. Call us today at 727-238-7797 to schedule an appointment to discuss your unique opportunity. And as always, be blessed. #sanguinemango
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