Why edit?
Examples of the difference that good editing can make
The CIEP is compiling a collection of positive examples of editing – ones that demonstrate what a difference good editing can make to a text in terms of clarity and readability.
These examples go a step further than the usual exposing of gobbledegook, poor English and greengrocers' apostrophes. Instead, we aim to highlight the value of what we do by giving 'before' and 'after' examples and including an explanation of each problem and its solution.
Why edit? examples
Editing for length, structure and style
Editing to meet a word count
Editing for sense
Editing for logical flow
Editing for familiarity
Editing for grammar and syntax
Editing even commas with care
Editing spoken into written language
Editing multilingual authors and text in translation
Editing for clarity and flow
Editing for impact and idiomatic English
Editing lightly for idiomatic style
Editing for plain English
Completely rewriting
Transforming legalese
Making clearer
Longer but easier to understand
Weeding out the verbiage