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)
Published Feb 06, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Trigger 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)
Published Feb 04, 2023
Last Updated May 01, 2025Have you ever read something several times, but still felt unsure about what the writer was trying to say? If you want your writing to be understood by as many people as possible, plain English can be a very useful tool. Although there are times when complex language is appropriate (e.g., in medical or legal […]
What Is Developmental Editing?
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How to Edit Documents and Text for Accessibility
Published Jan 14, 2023
Last Updated Jul 08, 2024As 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)
Published Jan 02, 2023
Last Updated Jan 29, 2025When 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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What’s the Difference Between Tone and Voice?
Published Dec 17, 2022
Last Updated Jan 10, 2025Tone 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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What Is an Antihero? (With Examples)
Published Nov 30, 2022
Last Updated Jan 29, 2025An 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)
Published Nov 25, 2022
Last Updated Jul 08, 2024Fear 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?
Published Nov 21, 2022
Last Updated Apr 11, 2024A 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?
Published Nov 16, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024The 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 […]
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Similes and Metaphors: What’s the Difference?
Similes and Metaphors: What’s the Difference?
Published Nov 09, 2022
Last Updated Jun 04, 2024Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a simile and a metaphor and how to use them in writing? If you’re an editor, particularly of creative writing and fiction, it’s important to know the difference between these two literary devices so that you can advise your client on when to use them – […]
