Service deliverables

As a rule of thumb, I’ll edit your document via Microsoft Word, using Track Changes and comments. I’m also comfortable with using Adobe Acrobat to edit PDFs. The editing process will involve some back and forth, and the number of passes will depend on the project and its requirements. I’m happy to work via whichever method works best for you.

Structural editing

A structural edit is a deep dive into an early draft or rough manuscript that makes sure you have a solid foundation to refine into a compelling final draft. This process involves a lot of back-and-forth work between writer and editor. This is a comprehensive look at your project that will refine its structure and content. A structural edit may involve:

• Reorganizing text to so that your ideas flow together
• Restructuring sentences and paragraphs to ensure you are understood by your audience
• Reformatting (recasting) material in a more suitable form; for example, a table instead of a list
• Cutting unclear or repetitive material to clarify your message
• Writing or suggesting new material you can add to strengthen your points

Stylistic editing

A stylistic edit clarifies your voice as a writer so that your ideas effectively reach your audience. It may be particularly helpful with a document that has been worked on by multiple writers. This process polishes language and tone so that your text has a clear and consistent voice. A stylistic edit may involve:

• Establishing an appropriate level of language for your intended audience
• Changing wording to maintain a consistent tone, mood, and level of formality
• Adjusting the length and structure of sentences or paragraphs
• Removing jargon, slang, and cliches as needed

Copy editing

A copy edit polishes a completed text to make sure it reads smoothly and correctly for your readers. Even the most confident writers benefit from a diligent copy edit. This work focuses on ensuring the correctness of your language from a mechanical perspective. A copy edit may involve:

• Correcting grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and word usage
• Ensuring consistent number forms and text formatting, including headings, titles, captions, and other elements
• Fixing awkward or unclear phrasing
• Checking the continuity, consistency, and accuracy of facts

Proofreading

A proofread is the last read of a document in its final form before publication or printing to catch any small mistakes that weren’t spotted earlier in the writing or editing process. A careful check of your document may be the finishing touch that reveals a crucial missed typo. Proofreading may involve:

• Checking for missed errors in spelling, punctuation, and other typos
• Scanning for visual consistency in typography, formatting, spacing, etc.
• Ensuring consistency and accuracy of page numbers, cross-references, footnotes, endnotes, hyperlinks, etc.

Plain language

Have important info you need to convey to a large audience? Let me help make your writing concise, clear, and readable for every reader. Don’t confuse people with flowery language that doesn’t get through. Keep things simple and direct with plain language. Governments, businesses, and other organizations use plain language in public communications to make sure they’re understood by all. I would be happy to rewrite your document in plain language or consult with you to streamline your writing.

Writing (ghostwriting and rewriting)

Have an idea but can’t figure out how to write it down clearly? Whether you’ve got the beginnings of an idea or a draft that’s proving frustrating, I can help. Let me write or rewrite a few hundred or thousand words that meet your needs and reach your audience.

Web editing

Web editing is specific to web pages, covering all elements from text to images and links. The rules of web writing are often different from those of traditional print—you might be surprised how tailoring your writing for the internet can bring your website to the next level. Web editing may involve:

• Editing or writing web copy according to web writing best practices
• Reorganizing or revising copy for the web
• Checking links and link text to ensure they’re accurate and specific
• Proofreading websites for consistency of all elements