editing
-
What Is a Beta Reader? (And How to Become One)
What Is a Beta Reader? (And How to Become One)
Published Apr 07, 2023
Last Updated Jun 09, 2025You’ve probably come across the term, but what exactly is a beta reader? In this post, we’ll break down what a beta reader does, how beta reading differs from editing, and what you can do to become one yourself. What Is a Beta Reader? A beta reader is someone who reads through a book manuscript […]
-
Native Speaker vs. Fluent Speaker: Which Term Is Best?
Native Speaker vs. Fluent Speaker: Which Term Is Best?
Published Apr 03, 2023
Last Updated Mar 26, 2025The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading recently announced that it’s asking its writers to stop using the terms “native” or “non-native” when referring to language speakers – and is instead advising that they use “fluent” or “non-fluent.” At Knowadays, we’ve opted to do the same and will no longer use these phrases in our […]
-
11 Uncommon Punctuation Marks (and How to Use Them)
Published Mar 13, 2023
Last Updated Jun 27, 2024There’s no doubt about it: punctuation is an integral part of writing. We use it to mark pauses, pose questions, emphasize certain ideas, and clarify meaning. You’ll already be familiar with the usual suspects – periods, commas, exclamation points, question marks, and so on – but did you know there are some weird and wonderful […]
-
How to Become a Book Editor
Published Mar 04, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025If you’ve always dreamed of being a book editor, this guide is for you. Here, we provide an overview of the different roles available for book editors, as well as tips on how to land your ideal career. What Does a Book Editor Do? First things first: What does being a book editor actually involve? […]
-
What Is Copy Editing?
Published Feb 25, 2023
Last Updated Mar 25, 2025Copy editing is an important part of preparing a document for publication. If you’re curious about what copy editing involves and how it differs from other forms of editing, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, we’ll answer your questions and show you how you can start a career as a copy editor. […]
-
Such As vs. Like: What’s the Difference?
Published Feb 13, 2023
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024While they may seem interchangeable, the terms “such as” and “like” actually have different meanings and are used in different ways. While “like” is used to compare things with similar characteristics, “such as” is used to introduce specific examples. In this blog post, we’ll explore how and when to use these two terms and what […]
-
What Is Sensational Spelling?
Published Feb 11, 2023
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024As a proofreader or editor, you’re used to spotting and correcting spelling errors. But what if the spelling error is intentional? In today’s blog post, we’re discussing sensational spelling – the deliberate misspelling of a word or term to draw an audience’s attention – and how to use it effectively. Sensational spelling is common in […]
-
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, […]
-
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?
What Is Developmental Editing?
Published Jan 30, 2023
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023Before a manuscript is published, it goes through several stages of editing, and traditionally, each step is conducted separately. Developmental editing (also known as structural editing) is the essential first step that concerns the overall structure and content of a text. Keep reading to learn more about what’s involved in developmental editing and how it […]