Differences between proofreading and editing

Proofreading and editing have several features in common, but it is important to know how these stages of document preparation differ. This is especially the case if you are deciding whether to order proofreading and editing services.

 

What are proofreading and editing?

Proofreading is the process in which misspellings, inconsistencies, and incorrect punctuation and grammar are identified and corrected. By contrast, editing is a more comprehensive process that is concerned with optimising the clarity, style, and structure of a document.

 

How do they differ?

There are many important differences between editing and proofreading. Perhaps the most fundamental difference relates to the scope of the two processes, as described in the previous section. However, if you are interested in ordering editing and proofreading services, it is important to know about the other ways in which these services differ.

 

When are they performed?

Editing is best suited for the first draft of a document, while it is always the most effective strategy to proofread only the final draft of your document. However, there are certain exceptions to this general rule.

For example, in special cases, such as when a second language speaker of English has finished the final draft of their document, an editing service may be the best option to correct suboptimal language use.

 

How long do they take?

The time taken to provide an effective editing service is often significantly longer than the time required for a strong, high-quality proofreading service.

The reason for this relates to the fact that editors address everything that proofreaders do, but they also focus on other issues.

It is important to bear this difference in mind if you are working to a tight deadline, especially because the longer turnaround times for editing services may be unworkable for you.

 

Is collaboration necessary?

Collaborating with a proofreader is rarely necessary. This is because the proofreading process is generally the same irrespective of the document.

Editing, on the other hand, often benefits from close collaboration between the professional editor and the author. This is because there are different types of editing, each of which has a different scope and level of comprehensiveness.

For example, if you need your editor to revise the structure of your document, it may be important to collaborate with them by showing them examples of this type of thing you are looking for.

 

A final note

If you have never worked with a professional editor or proofreader before, the process of finding a trained expert who you trust with your work can be overwhelming. For this reason, before you order any writing-related services, it is well worth checking online reviews, asking your peers for recommendations, and communicating directly with the professional or their employer.