WHAT DOES AN EDITOR DO?
An editor is a critical reader and lover of words. Editors are the filters through which authors’ works are made ready for public consumption. Editors polish, refine, and enhance a manuscript by taking a two-sided point of view. They consider both the audience and the author, balancing the need to engage readers while making changes, if necessary, that retain the author’s authentic voice. Editors also check the nuts and bolts of writing. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation need to be precise before publication. Editors insert and make sure links work, verify sources, and generally fact check.
PROOFREADING
Editors also proofread. Proofreading is done from an end-user’s perspective. Editors and proofreaders may be two separate positions in larger companies. Proofreading is the final check after a piece of content has been formatted and typeset, and is ready to be published. The nuts and bolts are checked once more while ensuring consistently clear context, word usage, and phrasing. Proofreading also makes sure that changes were made where necessary, and that no type is missing. Any technical information is checked for accuracy, and special characters are scrutinized for their functionality when clicked.
QUALITY CONTROL
Both editing and proofreading are important when preparing works for a live audience. The written word is rudimentary; getting it wrong can make you and your business look highly unprofessional. Editing and proofreading ensure presentations are of the utmost quality and not a source of embarrassment. In the hyperfast, microsecond decision-making world of the internet, readers and potential clients will move on quickly in the event of basic syntax errors. The logic rightly being, if you can’t take care of the basics, then how will you handle more complex issues?
EVERYONE’S HAPPY
Badly worded things can sense make not when material isn’t edited or proofread properly. As you can see, complete manuscripts written like the above would win no friends in the public realm. Editors and proofreaders are responsible for making the written word a satisfying experience for a potentially global audience. The editing and proofreading process honours the author’s intent while satiating audience demand for effective copy.
