Content is king! At least according to the not-so-old adage. So does that make copywriting queen? Today, we’d like to devote our attention to the stepchild of this royal household: editing. Somehow, amid all the ranting and raving about content creation, editing simply never seems to be given its due. But it’s precisely editing that transforms the raw material – that is, your unedited content – into brilliant diamonds.
In this article, we aim to prove to you that editing deserves special attention and shouldn’t be exiled to the fringes of discourse on content creation.
But before we begin, we better mention that, in this instance, we’re specifically concerned with the editing of written texts, so if you were hoping to learn about video editing or how you might go about sprucing up your TikTok and Instagram videos, we’re sorry to have to disappoint this time. The lines we’ve penned here are dedicated exclusively to the editing of written texts.
What text editing means
Editing is a term used to mean a lot of different things. It’s used to denote the process of adapting videos, films, sounds and texts alike. Today, however, we’re focusing on the latter.
For us, editing is the process of weighing words on a scale, running them through the sieve of syntax, grammar and good taste and, finally, rewarding ourselves with a shiny, polished text. It’s the fine-tuning – the difference between “meh” and “wow,” between a text that flops or one that downright dances in front of your audience’s eyes.
Editing ensures that all unsightly grammatical and typographical errors are eliminated, the author’s brief creative lapses are compensated for and the desired message of the text is conveyed.
We are of the firm conviction that the importance of editing should in no way, and under no circumstances, be underestimated.
Different kinds of editing
A good editor is a bit like a Swiss Army knife: they can adapt to solve almost any problem.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important steps and tools in the editing process then.
Light editing
Light editing is all about making sure that the text has a clear flow. It’s a bit like teasing out knots in a ball of wool – except, in this case, we’re straightening out sentences and paragraphs instead of knots.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final struggle against pesky typos, incorrect commas and wonky grammar.
It’s the final safety check before your text makes its big debut.
Content editing
Content editing concerns the text’s bigger picture: plot, story arc, objective and factual accuracy, argument structure and compliance with customer specifications, among other things.
Structural editing
As the name suggests, structural editing is all about your text’s structure and making sure it reads logically. This kind of editing also concerns formatting. In online content, for instance, it’s important that headings are set according to a specific order – with H1 being the main title, followed by H2, H3 and so on for subheadings.
The editing process
Now it’s time to get down to business. Grab your goggles, because we’re about to dive deep into the editing ocean. We’re embarking on a quest to discover the different steps in the editing process, each of which poses its own challenges and bestows its own beauty.
The first step: content and structure
The first step in editing is always a bit like setting foot in the jungle with a machete. You know how it is. You read the text or even just flick through it and think:
“Yikes!”
Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves. It’s strenuous and, at times, a little confusing. But the goal here is clear: we need to find a way through the text that makes sense and pleases the reader.
The second step: grammar and style
The second step is akin to polishing up diamonds from the rough. The stone has been uncovered, yes, but now it’s time to make it shine.
Now it’s time to concentrate on grammar, word choice and style to reveal a text that is not only sound in terms of content but also shines from a stylistic perspective.
The third step: final corrections
Queue the finishing touches! A bit like the final strokes of an oil painting, the last notes in a symphony or the icing on a cake.
It’s time to tease out any small mistakes that might have crept into the text and make sure everything is just right.
Tips for effective editing
There are as many ways to edit a text as there are to bake a cake. In this section, we’ll share some tried-and-true tips and techniques that will make editing more effective and, hopefully, less stressful for you.
Tools and techniques for editing
In the world of editing, you’ll find as many different tools and techniques as you might find utensils in a well-equipped kitchen. Some people prefer the classic whisk (in the case of editing, that’s a trusty red pen), while others swear by the latest KitchenAid from the digital world.
In this section, we’ll present some of the most popular editing tools and techniques.
Traditional methods: red pen and paper
For some, a good, old-fashioned red pen (or marker) and paper is still the editing method of choice. There’s something reassuring about working with pen and paper and it can also help you see the text from a new perspective.
It’s a bit like cooking on a wood stove: a little old-fashioned, yes, but totally fulfilling. There are some editors for whom this technique is the one and only. Yes, still!
Who needs a computer?!
Digital tools: word processors and special editing software
For those who want to keep their feet firmly in the 21st century, a multitude of digital tools exist to simplify the editing process for you – from basic word processors to special editing software that can help you spot typos, redundant words and even improve your style.
If we’re going to stick with our cooking metaphor, these tools would be the food processors among the kitchen appliances: all-around talents that make your life easier.
Editing techniques: reading out loud and backwards reading
Alongside tools, there’s also an array of techniques that can assist you in editing. Reading the text aloud, for instance, can help you tease out any clumsy, convoluted sentences. Similarly, reading the text backwards (from the end to the beginning) can also be an effective tool for spotting typos.
After all, authors and editors alike can become blind to their own errors. What do you expect when they’ve been staring at the same text for so long?
So a shift in perspective, in this sense, can be very fruitful.
Self-editing versus professional editing
Having surveyed the various tools and techniques useful in editing, we now face a question: should we edit our own work or should we hire a professional?
Come to think of it, it’s not entirely dissimilar to the question of whether we should cook for our guests or request the help of a caterer. There are pros and cons to each, and the final decision depends on multiple factors.
Pros and cons of self-editing
Self-editing can be a very powerful process. It allows you to engage deeply with your text and may also help you refine your writing style. But it does have its flaws. As mentioned above, our brain is designed to compensate for unevenness and mistakes.
Hey, it rotates the image that reaches our retina by 180° all day, every day. It’s easy to overlook a few mistakes.
When and why we need professional editors
Sometimes it just makes more sense to hire a professional. A professional editor will bring a fresh perspective to your text and can unearth issues that may have escaped your notice.
It’s like the difference between a DIY job and calling a contractor: sometimes you just need the experience and expertise of a pro.
How to find the right editor
Finding the right person for the job isn’t always easy. After all, you’ve already invested a lot of time and energy into your text, so the choice needs to be right. Here are four simple factors that will help you with your decision:
- The editor should have prior experience – not only in editing, but also in the subject matter at hand.
- They should not have already seen the document.
- They should be in a position to objectively edit the document, without imprinting their own original style on the piece.
- They should be accustomed to considering the text from the reader’s point of view.
So, this takes us to about the halfway point. Take a break, stretch your legs, grab a coffee – or, if you’re feeling inspired, why not write a few lines of your own? We’re about to discuss some concrete editing tips and tricks, as well as cast a look at some of the latest developments in the field.
Tips and tricks for better editing
Now that we’ve seen what editing looks like in practice, it is time to share a couple of tips and tricks that can help you to improve your own editing skills.
How to keep the readers’ perspective in mind when editing
One of the most important rules in editing is to not lose sight of the target audience.
To build on our cooking-for-guests metaphor: you should always consider what they like and what they’re expecting.
The role of feedback and a critical lens in the editing process
Feedback is also a crucial part of the editing process. It should help the author evaluate whether they’re on the right path or whether their text requires a little something extra. But stay objective along the way. Grammatical mistakes and typos are generally non-negotiable.
But tone and style are more subjective. After all, the text needs to resonate with your target audience. And there are multiple ways of doing so. It rarely hurts to have a one-on-one discussion in this regard.
Editing texts generated by AI
Editing texts written by artificial intelligence presents us with a new set of challenges. Since the advent of ChatGPT, the volume of texts generated by AI has increased exponentially.
After the initial euphoria of discovering that a large language model (LLM) can actually produce grammatically perfect texts, disillusionment has also quite quickly set in. Grammatically perfect though the texts may be, they’re often overloaded with false information. And not only that: sentence structures and even content are sometimes repeated inside the same text. It also isn’t rare for the storyboard therein to be incoherent.
If you’ve continued reading until this point, it’ll be clear to you by now that editing doesn’t only concern language in and of itself. Information needs to be fact-checked and coherence also needs to be taken care of. Editing really does go above and beyond considering the finer points of grammar.
Summary and conclusion
After our long and hopefully instructive journey through the world of editing, it’s time to take off our goggles and lay our red pen aside. In this last section, we’re going to summarize what we’ve learned and draw some conclusions.
The value of editing
To conclude, we would like to reiterate how valuable the process of editing is. It’s the seasoning that transforms good texts into excellent reads and its importance should by no means be overlooked.
Call to action
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for editing texts, we’d like to encourage you to try it out yourself. It’s a bit like lighting up the grill after a long day of prep and marinating. It’s time to light the fire and see what happens!
Or maybe it’s better to call the caterers?
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into the world of editing. Now that you’re armed with knowledge and inspiration, we wish you plenty of success in your editing endeavors. May your texts always be polished and precise, and may you always capture the correct tone.
Until next time and don’t forget: a good text is like a good wine – it requires time, patience and special treatment.
Happy editing!
