Editing Tips
From complete beginners to experienced editors, our blog has something for everyone! Learn about the different types of editing – developmental, comprehensive, line, and copy editing – and read our expert advice on editing all different types of documents (including business, creative, and academic).
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What Are Trigger Words? (And How to Use Them in Writing)
What Are Trigger Words? (And How to Use Them in Writing)
Feb 06, 2023
Trigger words are a common marketing tool used in business copywriting. In this post, we’ll explain what trigger words are and share our top tips to help you edit them in your clients’ writing. What Are Trigger Words? Trigger words (or power words) are words or phrases that compel the reader to take an action, […]
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What Is Plain English? (A Guide for Writers and Editors)
What Is Plain English? (A Guide for Writers and Editors)
Feb 04, 2023
Have you ever read something several times, but still felt unsure about what the writer was trying to say? Although there are times when complex language is appropriate (e.g., in legal writing), generally speaking, plain English is the most effective way to communicate a message and avoid misunderstandings. But what exactly is plain English? Put […]
What Is Developmental Editing?
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How to Edit Documents and Text for Accessibility
Jan 14, 2023
As an editor, you may be tasked with editing a document to improve accessibility. But what exactly does this involve? In this post, we’ll take you through what accessibility means in writing and our top tips for editing text with accessibility in mind. What Is Accessibility in Writing? Accessibility is the process of making sure […]
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What Is an Epigraph? (And How to Format One)
Jan 02, 2023
When editing novels and other types of books, you may come across an epigraph or two. But what exactly is an epigraph, and how should you approach them as an editor? We’ll explain everything you must know about these literary devices, including the different ways to format them. What’s an Epigraph? An epigraph is a […]
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Editing Tips: What’s the Difference Between Tone and Voice?
Dec 17, 2022
Tone and voice are terms related to writing style and are often used together. Unfortunately, this means they’re frequently confused with one another. So, what exactly is the difference between tone and voice? Here’s everything you need to know about these two terms, as well as what to do about them when editing. What Is […]
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Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What’s the Difference? (With Examples)
Dec 07, 2022
Copy editing and proofreading are both types of editing that take place toward the end of the publishing process. But while the two terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different tasks. In this post, we break down the differences between copy editing and proofreading and show you how these different types of editing […]
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What Is an Antihero? (With Examples)
Nov 30, 2022
An antihero is an interesting twist on the conventional “good guy” protagonist and is something you may encounter when editing narrative fiction. In this post, we’ll explain the defining traits of this character archetype and how you can help your client to write a great antihero. What Is an Antihero? An antihero is a protagonist […]
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What Is FOMO in Copywriting? (And How to Use It Effectively)
Nov 25, 2022
Fear of missing out (also known as FOMO) is a concept widely used in marketing copy. If you’re an editor working in this area, you’ll need to understand how it works. In this post, we’ll explain what FOMO means in copywriting and how you can help your business clients use it effectively. What Is FOMO? […]
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What’s a Colloquialism?
What’s a Colloquialism?
Nov 21, 2022
A colloquialism is an informal word or phrase commonly used in everyday conversation and often specific to a geographic region. For example, the word “y’all” (you all) is commonly used in the southern US, but not necessarily elsewhere in the world. Sometimes, a colloquialism’s popularity is a bit more widespread, like “head over heels” (falling […]
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Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
Nov 16, 2022
The English language’s waters can be muddy. So too can the difference between this pair of words: literally and figuratively. Literally and figuratively aren’t the same thing, despite what some people may think. Literally used to denote a literal, or letter-by-letter, meaning. People didn’t start to use literally in a figurative sense until about 200 […]
