line edits
Sentence-level manuscript changes
Line edits are revisions made sentence by sentence, focusing on prose style rather than structure or plot.
A line editor examines word choice, rhythm, clarity, and flow—tightening flabby prose, cutting redundancy, improving transitions.
Line editing falls between developmental editing (big-picture concerns) and copyediting (grammar and punctuation): The manuscript needs line edits before it goes to the copyeditor.
Editorial revision marking
- markupAdded percentage for profit
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- revisionsAlterations to improve
- amendmentsFormal changes to documents
adjustments · modifications · refinement · polishing · rectification · typo · strikethrough · deletion
Rules for arranging words
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- copyeditingCorrecting written material
- subject-verb agreementMatching noun and predicate
tenses · modifiers · conjugation · articles · prepositions · pronouns · sentence structure · grammatical errors
Making something less complex
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- readabilityEase of understanding text
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- tighteningMaking less loose
concision · flow · transitions · restructuring · reordering · cutting · trimming · wordiness
Original text before publication
- galleyOnboard food preparation area
- typesetArrange text for printing
- prepressPrint preparation stage
- paginationSequential numbering of sheets
house style · copyedit · proofread · query · stet · first pass · second pass · blueline
redline
Editorial revision marking
- markupAdded percentage for profit
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- revisionsAlterations to improve
amendments · adjustments · modifications · refinement · polishing · rectification · typo · strikethrough · deletion · insertion
syntax
Rules for arranging words
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- copyeditingCorrecting written material
subject-verb agreement · tenses · modifiers · conjugation · articles · prepositions · pronouns · sentence structure · grammatical errors · comma splice
simplification
Making something less complex
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- readabilityEase of understanding text
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
tightening · concision · flow · transitions · restructuring · reordering · cutting · trimming · wordiness · redundancy
manuscript
Original text before publication
pagination · house style · copyedit · proofread · query · stet · first pass · second pass · blueline · compositor