What Is Line Editing?

What is line editing? There are many different types of editing, each taking place at a different stage of the document publication process. As a proofreader or editor, you will greatly benefit from having a solid understanding of each.

Line editing shares some similarities with other types of editing, but it is a distinct process. It stands out for its meticulous focus on a manuscript’s language, style, and flow. It should not be confused with developmental editing, copy editing, or proofreading.

In today’s blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of line editing. We’ll compare it with other editing types, explore its key techniques, and provide examples of its benefits in action.

What Is Line Editing?

Consult any glossary of proofreading and editing terms, and you’ll find the term line editing. Also known as stylistic or substantive editing, line editing involves a deep dive into the nuances of language and the structure of a manuscript.

Many people assume that a line edit focuses on catching and correcting errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation – but that’s not the case. The aim of line editing is to enhance the overall readability, coherence, and impact of a piece of writing. It involves refining sentence structure, improving word choice, and ensuring consistency in tone and style throughout a text. Line editing is a valuable skill if you wish to edit manuscripts.

Line Editing vs. Other Types of Editing

As we mentioned above, line editing differs from other types of editing. As such, we will compare it to a few well-known types of editing:

1. Developmental editing
2. Copy editing
3. Proofreading

Please note that we will discuss each editing type in the order they take place in the publication process.

1. Line Editing vs. Developmental Editing

Developmental editing is the first stage of the editing process. While line editing focuses on the finer details of language and style, developmental editing addresses broader aspects of a manuscript, such as plot development, character arcs, and overall structure. Developmental editing is concerned with the big picture, whereas line editing focuses on the intricacies of individual sentences and paragraphs.

2. Line Editing vs. Copy Editing

Copy editing also differs from line editing. The former, which is the second stage of editing, primarily deals with correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. A copy editor will also address any awkward phrasing and make sure the text is aligned with the chosen style guide. In summary, a copy editor is focused on the mechanics, or the more objective aspects of editing.

By contrast, the work of a line editor is much more subjective. Line editing involves improving a text’s clarity, coherence, and flow. Line editors often work at a deeper level, refining the prose and seeking to enhance its literary quality.

3. Line Editing vs. Proofreading

Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process. A proofreader identifies and corrects spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors. They must preserve the author’s intended meaning, especially if the text is an essay or research paper. Significant changes to this kind of text could constitute academic plagiarism.

Line editing, on the other hand, occurs earlier in the process. It involves substantive changes aimed at improving writing quality beyond mere error correction.

How to Line Edit (with Examples)

Now that you understand the differences between line editing and other types of editing, we’d like to show you how to line edit. We’ll look at how to do the following:

1. Focus on clarity
2. Enhance flow
3. Vary sentence length and structure 
4. Remove jargon and redundancy
5. Refine word choice

1. Focus on Clarity

Convoluted or ambiguous phrasing can be confusing for a reader. Focusing on clarity means identifying complex sentences and revising them to be clearer and more concise.

For example:

Before line edit: “The convoluted labyrinth of bureaucratic procedures impeded our progress.”

After line edit: “Bureaucratic procedures hindered our progress.”

Both sentences contain the same message, but the second sentence is much easier to understand.

2. Enhance Flow

Smooth transitions between paragraphs and sentences help to ensure a seamless flow of ideas.

For example:

Before line edit: “Moreover, in addition to that, it is essential to consider the impact on the environment of the use of electricity. When fossil fuels are burned, they emit greenhouse gases. These gases contribute significantly to climate change.”

After line edit: “Furthermore, it’s crucial to consider the environmental impact of electricity consumption. For example, when fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity, they emit greenhouse gases. These gases contribute significantly to climate change.”

In the revised sentence, the editor has improved the flow by removing phrases that hinder readability. The editor has also begun the second sentence with “for example” to show that it elaborates on the point made in the first sentence.

3. Vary Sentence Length and Structure

Varying sentence length and structure can help keep a reader’s attention. There is no such thing as the perfect sentence length. Generally, sentences between 15 and 20 words strike a good balance between providing information and maintaining readability. But sometimes, much shorter or longer sentences can be used to create a particular effect.

Shorter sentences are great for providing concise information or increasing pace. Longer sentences, in contrast, are better for discussing more in-depth ideas, providing descriptions, and slowing pace. Using a mixture of both adds rhythm to a piece of writing, which in turn makes it more engaging.

For example:

Before line edit: “A good book can transport you to another world. You forget about real life. The characters come to life in your mind. You can explore new places without leaving your chair.”

After line edit: “A good book can transport you to another world. As you immerse yourself in the pages, you begin to forget about real life. Characters come to life in your mind and beckon you to explore their world. You’re going on an exciting adventure… all without leaving your chair!”

In the original version, the quick succession of short sentences feels both choppy and monotonous. In the revised version, the editor has varied the sentence length to add rhythm and improve flow.

A line editor will also look at sentence structure and remove any filler words (very, really, that), redundancies, or weak verbs. These features can make a sentence unnecessarily long and hard to read.

For example:

Before line edit: “Luke’s 10th grade history teacher really made him want to become a politician.”

After line edit: “Luke’s 10th grade history teacher inspired him to become a politician.”

The editor has removed “really” in the revised sentence to tighten the writing. They have also used a stronger verb to convey the same idea in fewer words.

4. Remove Jargon and Redundancy

Technical jargon can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the terminology. Unless a document is intended for a technical audience, jargon should be removed. Likewise, redundancies and repetition should be removed to improve readability.

For example:

Before line edit: “William Shakespeare was a remarkable and notable proponent of paronomasia.”

After line edit: “William Shakespeare was notable for using a lot of puns.”

In the revised sentence, we have removed “remarkable” because it is similar to “notable,” so it’s redundant. We’ve also removed “proponent” and “paronomasia” to make it easier for a general audience to understand.

5. Refine Word Choice

Choose precise and evocative language to convey meaning effectively.

For example:

Before line edit: “Max walked slowly along the sand.”

After line edit: “Max sauntered along the sand.”

The editor has chosen a word that means the same as “walked slowly” but paints a clearer, more descriptive image of Max’s movement.

Becoming An Editor

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