Copyediting and style editing (line editing)
for reader engagement and comprehension, clarity, consistency and elegance
This page describes the roles of style editing (or line editing) and copyediting, and lists the key steps in the editorial process that involve the engagement of professional expertise, and author revision in that process.
What is style (or line) editing?
When editing for style, the main task involves consideration of how well the text matches the author’s voice and style, and readers’ expectations. This editorial task is essential in preparing works of narrative fiction and creative non-fiction for self-publication, or for submission to a publisher or agent.
The terms are interchangeable, with “style editing” commonly used in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and “line editing” in the United States, Canada and elsewhere.
The aims of style editing are to:
- Improve the overall quality of the writing at the scene, paragraph, sentence and word levels.
- Ensure the tone and register are appropriate for the target reading audience.
- Enhance readers’ engagement through refinement of key elements such as the author’s voice and style; narrators’ and characters’ voices; and internal and external speech or dialogue.
- Where relevant, identify potential problems (and solutions) in representation, such as the characterisation of diversity. For more on this, see Sensitivity reading and editing.
- Eliminate unnecessary repetition and redundancy in word usage, phrases and ideas.
What is copyediting?
The main task of copyediting is to polish a text for maximum effect. Copyediting should occur after all developmental, structural and style editing (line editing). Copyediting is often undertaken in the same ‘pass’ (round or stage of editing) as a style or line edit, depending on the state of the manuscript and the needs of the author or client.
The aims of copyediting are to:
- Improve the overall quality of the writing.
- Clarify and enhance expression.
- Promote reader engagement.
- Ensure consistency and continuity within the parts or sections of the work, and as a whole.
- Eliminate unnecessary repetition and redundancy in word usage, phrases and ideas.
- Ensure the text complies with the chosen or required style guide, reference and/or dictionary authority.
Correct errors at the sentence and word levels, including vocabulary, syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Is editing the same as proofreading?
Editing and proofreading are different – and distinctly important – processes in getting a manuscript to publication.
Proofreading should occur AFTER all stages of editing, when the manuscript has been formatted according to the text design (the lay out created by a graphic designer or book formatting program) – see below.
Key steps in the editorial process
When the draft manuscript is deemed ready for the editorial process, the following steps are usually undertaken, requiring engagement of professional editorial, design and production expertise.
Manuscript assessment
Developmental or structural editing
Style editing, or line editing
Copyediting
Formatting or layout
Proofreading
Final output for printing and/or online publication
Revision
Major revision by the author may occur following manuscript assessment and/or developmental editing.
Minor revision by the author may occur during, or following, style editing and copyediting.
Only essential corrections are made during proofreading, which may require 3–4 stages prior to final output.
