Editing Is More Than Fixing Spelling and Grammar

Sometimes when people hear the word "editing" they think of fixing spelling and grammar issues. Editing a piece of writing is a much more complex process. Editing means reading a piece of work in it's entirety to see if all parts fit together and flow in the same direction.

For resumes and pamphlets, the editing process may be simplistic. For more complex pieces like books or fiction stories, the editing process may take more work and effort with several edits being needed to reach satisfaction. The first stages of editing focus on content: story plots, whether arguments are effectively made, flaws in logic, and more.

The first job of editing is to develop a piece of writing through revisions and by rewriting sections with errors. A writer needs to ensure the structure of their work is complete and whole to convey their messages effectively to readers. The last stages of editing focus on proofreading to fix spelling and grammar issues.

“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.” Quote Patricia Fuller

You don't leave home without putting on your clothes and you shouldn't publish a piece of writing without any editing. Avoiding both tasks can lead to embarrassing situations. No matter how advanced your writing skills are, mistakes can always be made. The best writers revise and edit routinely.

Reasons Why Editing Is Important

1. Careful reading and rereading helps you determine whether or not your work portrays to readers the messages you want them to absorb.

2. You can find parts that may be worded in ways readers might be confused by or may easily misunderstand.

3. By having another person edit your writing you get a fresh set of eyes to read your work. When you are the author you may miss flaws in logic or overall structure that a second reader may pick up.

4. Proofreading is done to correct spelling and grammar issues.

Whether you are writing a resume or a long novel, editing is part of the writing process. When you sit down to write always plan to take time to proofread and edit once you have a complete draft. By dedicating yourself to this part of the process of writing you will better yourself and the work that you produce for others to read. Editing is an important part of writing and good writers never skip checking their work for any problems that may exist.

I’m @marxrab , a member of the @steemiteditors team. I'm a lover of black and white rabbits and reading. I look forward to reading some great posts today!