Glossary

 

Analysis-Based Editing

            Analysis-based editing involves evaluating the style, form, organization, content, and concept of a manuscript to make it more user-friendly and appropriate for its intended audience. This type of editing is negotiable with the editor in most cases. The editor’s job is to suggest ways to improve the manuscript. Analysis-based editing also encompasses matters of logic and structure relating to an entire manuscript, paragraph, sentence, or word. Language edits and substantive (or developmental) edits are considered specific types of analysis-based editing.

 

Copy

            The written content of your project

 

Copyediting

            The correction of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax

 

Layout

            The arrangement of copy, photos, graphics, borders, etc. on a page

 

Language Edit

            This type of edit deals with how ideas are expressed. It includes:

  • Use of technical terminology or jargon appropriate for the intended reader
  • Clear, logical development of ideas
  • Conciseness
  • Sentence complexity and use of active or passive verbs

[see Analysis-Based Editing]

 

Manuscript

            The total written content of a book, whether fiction or nonfiction

 

Project

            The overall task or tasks for which I've been hired

 

Publication

            The act or process of publishing printed matter; an issue of printed material offered for sale or distribution; communication of information to the public

 

Revision

            Any further changes or modifications made to a project after the initial contracted work is completed

 

Rules-Based Editing

            This type of editing relates to changes made to make written content correct, consistent, accurate, and complete. It includes:

  • Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, capitalization, and hyphenation
  • Adherence to legal requirements, including trademarks and copyrights
  • Internal consistency – usually related to facts, illustrations, layout, typography, and other design considerations
  • Bibliographic references and citations

Rules-based editing isn’t negotiable with the editor most of the time. The client must accept the changes made by the editor so the copy is correct.

 

"Spinning" ("Spun" Content)

           This term refers to written content that has been lifted (often without permission) from an online source and then rewritten by a human "spinner" or "spinning" software so that it differs enough from the original source that it will pass inspection by plagiarism-detection software and will be considered original content by search engines. This "spun" content is then used for a new purpose, often as content on another website or blog. Watkins Business and Medical Writing DOES NOT use "spun" content.

 

Substantive (or Developmental) Edit

            This type of edit addresses the overall structure of the publication. It considers questions such as:

  • Does it all fit together into a coherent whole?
  • Is the order of presentation logical to the intended audience?
  • Is all necessary information included and all unnecessary information excluded?
  • Are the retrieval aids (table of contents, internal headings, index) useful? Do they contain terms that are useful to the intended reader?
  • Are the navigation aids for online materials logical and useful? Can users find the links they want easily?

In addition, substantive editing may involve restructuring or rewriting part or all of the written content. [see Analysis-Based Editing]

 

Voice

            The distinctive style or manner of expression of an author or a character in a book

 

 

                                                                                                         Updated 5-3-20