What Do Editors Do?

Most editors do more than just copyediting and proofreading. Here are some of the other services an editor may provide.

Revising content created for one medium to be adapted to another medium.

Editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other mechanics of style. May also include fact-checking and eliminating gender or ethnicity bias.

Developing a project from the initial proposal to a final product.

Developing an alphabetical list of names and subjects that are found in a work, along with page numbers where they appear.

Reviewing edited proof pages for errors and omissions. May also include checking cross-references.

Gathering information to support information in new or existing text.

Creating new text based on existing text. May involve additional research or the addition of totally new material.

Clarifying or reorganizing text for content and structure. May also involve some rewriting.

Editing technical texts to ensure readability and to make sure author's meaning is made clear.

Transcribing and editing taped material, including interviews, discussions, conference proceedings, etc.

Reviewing Web pages for coherence, content, language, and usage, and making sure length and links are appropriate.