How can you determine the appropriate level of editing for a piece of writing?

When determining the level of editing; It's crucial to consider the purpose and audience of the article. Evaluating the overall clarity, coherence, and organization of the content helps in pinpointing areas that may need substantive editing versus surface-level corrections. Understanding the writer's proficiency and their specific goals for the piece can guides editor in selecting the most suitable editing approach, whether it's developmental editing to refine ideas and structure, copyediting for grammar and style consistency, or proofreading for final polish. Collaboration between the writer and editor are essential in the process to ensure the editing aligns with the writer's intentions and enhances the overall effectiveness of the piece.

I've always called it developmental editing rather than substantive. Regardless, understanding your editing goals is critical. also consider: 1. The document's condition 2. the writer's proficiency 3. Audience / publication context 4. Time constraints + deadlines

Determine the appropriate level of editing for a piece of writing by assessing factors such as the intended audience, purpose of the content, complexity of the subject matter, existing quality of the writing, and desired level of polish and refinement.

To determine the appropriate level of editing for a piece of writing one has to consider a lot of factors. Editing in it's simplest definition means retouching a piece of writing. One will truly be convinced if the following steps are taken. E.g., a poem or an article ?Read the manuscript multiple times; ?Check out for typographical errors and correct them; ?Check out for grammatical errors; ?Does the piece of writing (in this case poem or an article) follow the writing goal and structure; ?Check out for repetition and ambiguity in the writing; ?Ensure spacing, font,white canvas are checked(for audience readability); ?Check out for the flows and tone of the writing and humour; ?Read again and have at least two persons read the work again.

Writing goals involves a thoughtful examination of several key elements. It's essential to clarify the intended purpose and audience of the writing. Understanding whether the piece aims to inform, persuade, entertain, or educate. Assessing the overall structure, coherence, and clarity of the content provides insights into the level of editing needed. Considering the writer's proficiency level and their specific objectives for the piece helps in tailoring the editing process accordingly. Whether it's developmental editing to refine goals, copyediting for style consistency, or proofreading for final polish, aligning the level with the writer's goals ensures that the end result effectively communicates the intended message to the audience.

It's important when editing someone else's work to remember you are not trying to change their voice, just correct simple errors and help clarify points that might need it. It may not be written the way you would write it, but is is still clear and correct? Your style is your style, and the writer you are editing for has their own. It's too easy to see something written not the same way you would have put it, as being not quite right, but ask yourself is that really the case? Always take a step back from yourself when you edit.

A great tip that I got from an editor is that sometimes if you feel very strongly about a certain choice (assuming it's not grammar-related), it's okay to keep it in. Once you've done the hard work of editing and sharpening your story, it's okay to decided that you want to keep some choices as they are if you feel it's important to your voice and storytelling.