subediting
Polishing before publication
Subediting is the work of preparing written material for publication—checking facts, correcting errors, tightening prose, and ensuring consistency in style.
In British usage, a subeditor does what Americans call copy editing.
The term reflects the hierarchy: subeditors work under editors, handling the detailed work of polishing text rather than making broader editorial decisions.
Correcting written material
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- revisionsAlterations to improve
- markupAdded percentage for profit
- correctionsAdjustments to fix errors
track changes · fact-checking · redaction · redrafting · emendation · amendments · cuts · insertions
Original text before publication
- galleyOnboard food preparation area
- proofsDemonstrations of truth
- typesettingArranging text for print
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
pagination · prepress · folio · recto · verso · gutter · margin · typography
Degree of correctness
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- thoroughnessAttention to every detail
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
exactness · carefulness · rigor · scrupulous · consistency · correctness · fact-checking · verification
Media gathering hub
- headlineNews article title
- newsdeskEditorial nerve center
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- copyIdentical reproduction made
lead · byline · strapline · column · article · feature · reporter · correspondent
Making something less complex
- disambiguationRemoving uncertainty about meaning
- rewordingRestating in different terms
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- untanglingSeparating twisted strands
condensing · streamlining · plain language · coherence · flow · transitions · logic
copyediting
Correcting written material
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- revisionsAlterations to improve
- markupAdded percentage for profit
corrections · track changes · fact-checking · redaction · redrafting · emendation · amendments · cuts · insertions · rewrites
manuscript
Original text before publication
- galleyOnboard food preparation area
- proofsDemonstrations of truth
- typesettingArranging text for print
layout · pagination · prepress · folio · recto · verso · gutter · margin · typography · font
accuracy
Degree of correctness
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- thoroughnessAttention to every detail
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
diligence · exactness · carefulness · rigor · scrupulous · consistency · correctness · fact-checking · verification · cross-referencing
newsroom
Media gathering hub
copy · lead · byline · strapline · column · article · feature · reporter · correspondent · breaking news
simplification
Making something less complex
- disambiguationRemoving uncertainty about meaning
- rewordingRestating in different terms
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
untangling · condensing · streamlining · plain language · coherence · flow · transitions · logic
- journalismreporters, interview, school paper, news, journalists
subeditingwriting
Recorded language on surface
authoring · composing · original composition · creative writing · drafting
subeditingelaboration
Development through detail
expansion · padding · embellishment · amplification · fleshing out
edit, editor, editing, edited, editors, editorial, editorship, editorially, subedit