How to Get Started in Editing

 

You’ve determined that you want to edit and are ready to put your skills to use. So, how do you get started? In a nutshell: find your niche and spread the word.

 

Here are some steps to help you begin:

 

    Determine what type of editing you want to do. Did you know there are different types of editing? You will want to explore the types and see which one or ones you are drawn to. For example, do you prefer editing for the ‘big picture’ or the ‘nitty gritty’? Big picture editing would be editing a work of fiction, a short story, or a novel while nitty gritty editing is line by line, looking at things like grammar and punctuation.

The different types of editing include:

• Developmental/structural editing
• Line/stylistic editing
• Copyediting/mechanical editing
• Proofreading

If you’d like to know a bit more about the various types of editing, there are several articles and podcast episodes here on Editing with Kate that will describe them in more detail.

 

    Spread the word. Once you’ve figured out what type of editing you want to do, let your friends, coworkers, classmates, and family know that you are available to help them and anyone they know who might need a project, paper, or even their resume edited.

    Go online and get social. To promote yourself, you need to get online and tell your network. Ways to do that include:

a.    Post on your social media. Choose one or several of your social platforms to post messages letting people know to reach out to you if they need editing assistance and how you can help them.

b.    Join a freelance site(s) like Fiverr or Upwork. Once you create your profile and set your rates, you are ready to start building your business.

c.     Create a business page on Facebook or LinkedIn that’s separate from your personal page. This is a great space to not only advertise your business but to also create a community though posting articles and helpful information related to editing.

d.    Advertise your services on social media – for example, did you know that Facebook lets you create ads?

 

    Volunteer your editing services. By volunteering to help someone or an organization by editing their project, you will not only build your portfolio, but also your editing experience. This will give you practice using your editing skills while becoming familiar with details like how long it takes you to edit a certain number of pages or words, as well as how to organize your business – like tracking your time, setting up a style guide for the project, invoicing, etc. You may also get referrals from the person or organization, which can bring more business your way. 

    Always keep learning. Are you familiar with the various editing style guides like APA, MLA, AP, and CMOS? Chances are you will need to know at least one of them. You maybe even become an expert in one or two styles to set yourself apart.

 

Another way to keep learning is by taking online courses and/or getting certified in editing. Professional organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and ACES: The Society for Editing regularly offer training and workshops for all types of editing.

 

A fun way I like to keep my skills fresh is to follow a few grammar websites and blogs that feature short videos about the English language and quizzes to test my vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation knowledge. Two sites I like are GrammarBook.com (for their quizzes) and Proofed.com (for their knowledge hub).

 

YouTube videos and podcasts are a great way to learn as well.

 

    Follow professional organizations and other editing groups on social media. I follow quite a few groups online related to editing – from EFA, ACES, and AP style to Grammar Girl and Dictionary.com’s Word of the Day. These groups will keep you connected to what’s happening in the field of editing and reinforce the of importance editing in today’s world.

 

    Create a portfolio of your work. There are many reasons to have a portfolio of your work. At the very minimum, it is the place to keep a list of the projects you’ve worked on. You may need to be creative with how you can show your work – the before and after edits – but it can give you talking points to discuss the project and what you did to improve it. A portfolio can also help you see a pattern of which types of projects you enjoy working on and what type of editing you are most drawn to.

 

It can be difficult to find a full-time editing gig, but you can put your skills to use in creative ways. If you’re a student – whether it be in high school or college – offer to edit a fellow student’s paper, or if your company often puts together reports or presentations, offer to edit the materials. Let your coworkers know that you’d be happy to edit their report or PowerPoint presentation. Let your network know that you’d gladly edit their resume for them. These are just a few examples of how to get yourself out there.

 

If editing is something you really enjoy and want to do, keep working towards that goal and spreading the word. You may find that you become the editing resource that everyone turns to.

Is Editing Your Superpower?

 

Do you like working with words? Do you often find typos and mistakes in the things you read?

 

Do you have a knack for making sentences sound better and helping words flow from paragraph to paragraph? Maybe you’re the go-to person that coworkers or friends ask to review what they’ve written.

 

If any of this sounds like you, then editing may just be your thing.

 

What Does Being an Editor Mean?

In basic terms, an editor is someone who reviews a piece of writing and makes it better by fixing mistakes and making sure it covers what author Amy Einsohn (The Copyeditor’s Handbook) calls the “4 Cs” – clarity, coherence, consistency, and correctness.

 

As they are reading, editors will want to ask themselves:

·      Is the writing clear (clarity)?

·      Is it logical and easy to follow (coherence)?

·      Is it consistent, for example, in the use of terms, verb tense, etc. (consistency)?

·      Is the information accurate (correctness)?

 

What Skills do Editors Need?

A good editor will have these skills:

·      A good vocabulary

·      An eye for detail

·      Grammar and punctuation sense

·      Ability to read a variety of materials written in different styles

·      Love of reading

 

While editors are reading for grammar and punctuation mistakes, they are also looking at other details like readability, sentence structure, and word flow. They look at the nitty-gritty details as well as the whole picture. That being said, there are different types of editing.

 

Let’s explore the types of editing to see which one piques your interest or lends itself to your strengths. You may even find more than one type appeals to you.

 

Types of Editing

Here is a brief summary of the different types of editing.

 

1.    Developmental/structural editing. Developmental editing looks at the big picture, like a novel or short story’s plot, theme, and characters. A developmental editor examines the whole project and its structure and may rearrange sections, identify confusing content, and add features like headings and bulleted lists. They assess the tone and voice and make sure the work meets brand/style guide requirements, if there are any.

2.    Line/stylistic editing. Line editing is done line by line, paragraph by paragraph. It looks at word choice, sentence structure, verb tense, and scene and image descriptions like in books. This type of editing also ensures the words and prose flow and the tone and style are consistent. Line editing can be done in conjunction with developmental editing.

 

3.    Copyediting/mechanical editing. Copyediting or mechanical editing looks closely for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and word usage mistakes. Copy editors also do fact-checking and follow style guides. These types of editors are called mechanical editors because they aren’t concerned with the content of the story as much as the correctness or “mechanics” of the language.

 

4.    Proofreading. Proofreading is the last step in the editing process before going to print (aka hitting the publish button or going live). Proofreaders look for the same issues as a copy editor, and many perform their editing on a printed, hard copy (especially for books). Proofreaders also look at formatting details like typesetting, line breaks, etc. Hence, this is the reason for working on a printed copy.

 

Getting Started

If any of these editing styles appeal to you and you feel editing is something you’d like to do, check out some of the professional organizations like The Society for Editing (ACES), Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), and the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors   NAIWE.

 

Let your social network know you’re offering editing services – both by word of mouth and by creating social media posts. And to start practicing your skills, offer to help a friend by editing their resume or a coworker by reviewing their annual report.

 

Also, look into freelance sites like Fiverr where you can set up a profile with your editing services and start building your business.

 

Whichever type of editing calls to you, know that your talents are needed. Now, go out and put your superpowers to work!

 

 

Resources

Einsohn, Amy (2011). The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, with Exercises and Answer Keys. Berkeley, California: University of California.

Proofed.com -- Knowledge Hub  

Using AI Writing and Editing Tools

 

The use and influence of AI—Artificial Intelligence—is all around us. It’s in our GPS, our music streaming, our online shopping, our apps, our texts (thank you, autocorrect), and so on. It’s used by banks, the military, in education, by retailers, healthcare, the list goes on and on. With the influence of AI in our everyday lives, it’s not surprising that it also might influence many of our livelihoods—and probably has already for many of us. On this episode of Editing with Kate, Kate describes her experience with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, Grammarly, and Wordtune. Do you think these technologies are going to change the lives of students, writers, and editors? Let us know in this space.

Grammarly is planning to release a tool called GrammarlyGo. You may want to check it out!

 

Listen to Podcast

Editing with Kate! Episode 27 Transcript

 

-------------------------

TRANSCRIPTS

As you can see, the answers I received were well written and neatly organized. And they saved a lot of time. The results came in seconds. It actually was fun to see the results come through.

 

OpenAI’s ChatGPT First Response

What are the pros and cons for using AI to write and edit blogs? Pros: Efficiency: Using AI to write and edit blogs can save a significant amount of time and effort. The AI can quickly generate and revise content, which would have taken a human writer much longer. Consistency: AI can produce consistent content in terms of tone, style, and formatting. This can help maintain brand identity and voice across multiple blog posts. Speed: AI can generate content much faster than human writers, which can be beneficial in situations where speed is a priority, such as breaking news or trending topics. Accuracy: AI can be programmed to follow specific guidelines and rules, ensuring that the content is accurate, factually correct, and free from errors. Cons: Lack of creativity: AI writing may lack the creativity and originality of human writing. AI-generated content may be formulaic and lack the nuance and complexity of human language. Limited scope: AI may have difficulty understanding and writing about topics that are abstract, complex, or nuanced. This can limit the range of topics that AI can cover in blogs. Limited context: AI may have difficulty understanding the broader context of a topic or understanding the tone and style of a particular publication or audience. Cost: The cost of developing and maintaining an AI system for writing and editing blogs can be high, especially for small businesses or individuals.

 

ChatGPT’s Regenerated Response

There are several pros and cons to using AI to write and edit blogs. Here are some of the most significant: Pros: Time-saving: AI can quickly generate content, which can save a lot of time for writers and editors. Consistency: AI can maintain consistency in tone, language, and formatting, making the content more professional and coherent. Scalability: AI can generate content in large quantities, making it easier to produce a high volume of blog posts or articles. Customization: AI can generate content based on specific parameters, such as target audience, topic, and style. Cons: Lack of creativity: AI lacks the creativity and originality that humans possess. As a result, the content generated by AI can be dull and uninteresting. Limited understanding: AI can struggle to understand context, nuance, and tone, which can result in inappropriate language and messaging. Inaccuracies: AI can produce inaccurate information, which can be harmful to readers. Cost: AI technology can be expensive to implement, and the cost of using it may outweigh the benefits. Overall, while AI can be a useful tool in generating content, it should be used in conjunction with human expertise and oversight to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and quality of the content.

 

Bard’s Response, which was much the same as ChatGPT’s

What are the pros and cons of using AI to write blogs? Here are some of the pros and cons of using AI to write blogs: Pros: AI can help you write blogs faster and more efficiently. AI can help you write blogs that are more engaging and interesting to read. AI can help you write blogs that are more SEO-friendly. AI can help you write blogs that are more tailored to your target audience. Cons: AI-generated content may not be as high quality as human-generated content. AI-generated content may not be as original as human-generated content. AI-generated content may not be as creative as human-generated content. AI-generated content may not be as well-researched as human-generated content.   Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use AI to write blogs is up to you. If you are looking for a way to save time and produce high-quality content, then AI may be a good option for you. However, if you are looking for content that is truly unique and original, then you may want to consider hiring a human writer.   Here are some additional things to consider when using AI to write blogs: Make sure that you are using a reputable AI writing tool. There are many AI writing tools available, but not all of them are created equal. Do some research to find a tool that has a good reputation and that produces high-quality content. Be clear about your goals for your blog. What do you want to achieve with your blog? Are you trying to inform, entertain, or persuade your readers? Once you know your goals, you can choose an AI writing tool that is best suited for those goals. Be prepared to edit and proofread the content that AI generates. AI writing tools can be very helpful, but they are not perfect. You will still need to edit and proofread the content to make sure that it is free of errors and that it meets your standards. Be aware of the potential for plagiarism. AI writing tools can sometimes generate content that is plagiarized from other sources. Be sure to check the content that AI generates for plagiarism before you publish it.   Overall, AI can be a valuable tool for bloggers, but it is important to use it wisely. By following the tips above, you can use AI to write high-quality content that will help you achieve your blogging goals.

 

 

Eight Common APA Mistakes

 

By Kate Devlin

If you are writing a paper that needs to follow APA style guidelines, read on to see how to avoid some of the most common mistakes writers make.

What are some of the most common issues writers run into with APA style?

As most writers following APA style have probably already realized, there are many dos and don’ts when it comes to APA style. While there are many rules to follow, you may find that the more you work with them, the more familiar they become. You might even become an expert!

You are not alone if you struggle a bit with following APA style. There are great resources to guide you like the American Psychological Association’s website (apastyle.apa.org).

Here are some of the most common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Pay attention to verb tense. Use past tense for the literature review, the methodology section (if it’s already happened), and the results section.
2. Use what is called the Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma) for a series of items. This means that if you have a series of items, you put a comma after each item and before the “and.” For example, I like apples [comma], pears [comma], and grapes.
3. Only use one space after a period, not two. (This is good practice for whatever you write since two spaces after a period has not been in practice for a while now.)
4. For quotations, be sure to lead into your quote with a sentence or two introducing it, such as why it’s important and how it relates to what you are writing about. Don’t just leave the quote hanging with no explanation.
5. Be sure to use transitions between paragraphs and sections. They help guide the reader through your paper. Transitions are words like “first,” “second,” “next,” or “finally.”
6. Be sure you are using the correct formatting for your in-text citations and your reference list. The APA website has many examples to help you. Also, be sure that any references cited in your text match the ones listed on your reference pages.
7. Check your formatting—from the title page to the last appendix section, APA has rules for it all—margins, fonts, alignment, indentation, tables and figures, citations, etc. But don’t worry, while APA has many requirements, they also have plenty of examples to follow—another instance where the APA website will help you tremendously.
8. Be sure that the purpose statement that you use throughout your paper is consistent. You don’t want to send mixed messages to your reader.

 

While there seem to be a lot of rules to remember when it comes to APA style, there are also lots of online tips and examples to help you.

Resources

• American Psychological Association
• APA Style Introduction

Using APA Style Guidelines

 

By Kate Devlin

Most college students are familiar with APA style as it is often a requirement that they follow the style’s guidelines for their papers. While they may be familiar with it, they may not know all of its ins and outs.

Let’s explore why it’s so important to follow the APA guidelines.

What is so important about APA style?

Following the APA style guidelines is important for paper uniformity and consistency as well as for proper attribution or citing of sources. Papers sound better and flow better when they follow a style like APA.

Here’s a little snippet of APA history from the APA website that I thought was interesting. APA first came about in 1929 when a group of psychologists, anthropologists, and business managers got together and developed a set of what they called “procedures,” and what we today call “guidelines.” These guidelines, which have been revised over the years, are still in use today by students, researchers, and educators for their scientific papers. The most current edition is the 7^th edition, released in October 2019.

How exactly do the APA guidelines help writers?

The guidelines help writers by establishing requirements for their papers. I’m going to touch briefly on seven of the main areas that APA covers. Keep in mind that this is a very general overview.

1.     Format (which fonts to use, how to format headings, and margin set up)

2.     In-text citations (how to format them correctly; see APA style guide for examples)

3.     “Style mechanics” (includes use of punctuation, abbreviations, and capitalization)

4.     Grammar (verb tense, active vs. passive voice, singular “they”)

5.     References (how to cite, again the style guide will have examples)

6.     Bias-free language

7.     Tables and figures

What are some helpful resources for APA guidelines?

The best online resource I found was the American Psychological Association’s website. It’s easy to navigate and has great examples. Purdue’s Online Writing Lab also has helpful APA information. Your school or university should have helpful resources as well. Of course, the most comprehensive option is the full guide that can be purchased in print or digital format.

Resources

• American Psychological Association
• APA Style Introduction

 

Writing a Research Paper and How to Get Started

 

 

 

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Check out Kate's tips about editing papers, blogs, social media, reports, newsletters, and resumes through a series of interviews with Simone Conceição.