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	Proofreading And Editing

	by Darlene Bishop

Many clients and potential clients ask me what the DIFFERENCE is between editing and proofreading. If you've ever wondered the same thing, perhaps this article can answer that question for you. First, let's define the two terms.

PROOFREADING

Most editors make a strong distinction between proofreading and editing. Proofreading is typically applied to checking SPELLING and grammar; ensuring correct SENTENCE structure and word usage; and verifying calculations. It can also involve confirming facts, depending on the proofreader or the type of document being proofread.

EDITING

Editing involves improving word IMAGES and detail; ensuring the document has coherence and unity throughout; and revising or rewriting as needed to create crisp, polished copy. Many editors take the process a step further to STRUCTURAL editing, which involves the revision of the whole underlying theme or plot of the work. Structural editing is often performed by a publisher's in-house staff and is typically associated with novels and book length manuscripts. It is seldom performed on online writing, so I won't cover it here.

WHO NEEDS PROOFREADING?

Once you understand the basic differences between proofreading and editing, the next question is naturally, which--if either--do you need and why? First of all, EVERYONE needs proofreading. Period. Proofreading is absolutely essential to good writing. It's simply not an option if you want your work to read well and to be free of typographical and grammatical errors. Simply RE-READING a piece of writing after completion eliminates many mistakes. After writing a 500 plus word article, however, you begin to see what you THINK it says, and not what is really there.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

That's one convincing reason to hire a professional editor or proofreader. Someone who hasn't read the piece can approach it fresh and without EXPECTATIONS. They will see errors that you may easily miss. And many writers, while they have something valid to say and can communicate it fairly well, simply aren't knowledgeable about GRAMMAR. A proofreader should be well-versed in grammar and punctuation and should be able to ensure that a document is mechanically correct. If you're concerned about being perceived at your professional best through your writing, you need professional proofreading.

MOVING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Many businesspersons write well enough to publish work online or in free newsletters, where standards are usually more CASUAL and writing doesn't have to meet the inspection of a paying publisher. But that doesn't necessarily mean that their writing would be of sufficient quality to sell to a traditional publisher.

WHY THINK ABOUT EDITING?

Editing takes that concept a step further. Editing helps a writer present a much more POLISHED appearance. If you want your writing to read like a pro's, you need a professional editor -- one who can take that "decent" article, and turn it into polished, professional quality copy, those skilled writers could find their work in print magazines and those that pay for higher quality content.

WHAT ARE YOUR WRITING GOALS?

So, whether you need a proofreader or an editor really depends on your goal for your writing. Do you hope to meet the needs of your business by writing for your NEWSLETTER or website? Then a professional proofreader may suit your needs well by giving clarity and correctness to your writing. On the other hand, do you want to see your work in PRINT, or to be able to SELL it to quality online publications? If so, it's worth every dime you would spend to hire a professional editor to review and revise your writing.

GIVING YOU A BOOST

Ultimately, the job of either a proofreader or an editor is to make a writer look GOOD on paper. And it doesn't have to cost a royal dowry. For a reasonable price, you can find an "editor" to assist you in creating sharp, clear copy whatever your writing skill or level of need.

Darlene Bishop is a professional with nearly two decades of experience writing and editing ezines and newsletters, press releases and much more for both print and electronic media, and is the author of numerous magazine and newspaper articles on a variety of topics. Visit her website at wahmteam.com or contact her at .

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