Editing Tips

From complete beginners to experienced editors, our blog has something for everyone! Learn about the different types of editing – developmental, comprehensive, line, and copy editing – and read our expert advice on editing all different types of documents (including business, creative, and academic).

  • What Are Trigger Words? (And How to Use Them in Writing)

    How to Write a Style Sheet for Proofreading or Copy Editing

    How to Write a Style Sheet for Proofreading or Copy Editing

    Nov 28, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Style guides are a vital resource for any proofreader or editor. But not every client will have one. And in some cases, you may need to create a custom style sheet when editing a document. But when do you need to create a style sheet? And what should it include? What Is a Style Guide? […]

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  • What's the Difference between Active and Passive Voice?

    What's the Difference between Active and Passive Voice?

    Nov 05, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    What is the difference between active and passive voice? As a freelance proofreader or editor, you should be able to answer this question. Understanding the nuances of active and passive voice is a fundamental skill, but it is often overlooked, especially by newbie proofreaders. By grasping the distinction between the two, you can help your […]

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  • What Is the Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

    What Is the Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

    Oct 03, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Do you know the difference between proofreading and editing? People often use the terms interchangeably, but proofreading and editing are, in fact, distinct tasks. In this blog post, we’ll explain: Read on to learn more. The Stages of the Publication Process Editing and proofreading are both ways to polish a piece of writing. However, they […]

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  • Dialogue Tags: 10 Other Ways to Say "Said"

    Sep 27, 2023

    • Creative Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    Effective dialogue tags are a powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal, helping to bring characters and conversations to life. While the trusty old “said” is a reliable choice, there are countless other options to explore. If you proofread or edit creative writing, you’ve probably encountered manuscripts overloaded with “said” dialogue tags. Today, we’ll show you […]

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  • What Is a Lede in Journalism?

    Sep 14, 2023

    • Business Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Spelling

    Have you ever heard of a lede in journalism? A lede is the first few sentences in a piece of journalistic writing, and writers use it to grab the reader’s attention. It’s important to use a lede because readers are like balloons – once they leave your hand, you may never catch them again! Having […]

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  • How to Spot a Credible Source

    Sep 07, 2023

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations

    Learning how to spot a credible source is an important skill. As an academic editor, part of your job may involve making sure your client has backed up their argument by citing credible sources. But how can you tell whether a source is reliable or not? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at: […]

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  • What Are the 3 Types of Irony?

    Sep 02, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    Did you know that there are three types of irony? Each works slightly differently, but all three are effective ways to draw a reader’s attention. If you’re not familiar with them yet, don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll: Keep reading to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about irony! What Is Irony? Irony […]

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  • How to Choose a Font for Your Document

    Jul 22, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Tips

    You’ve put time and effort into crafting a piece of writing, and now it’s time to select a font style as the finishing touch. But with so many options, how do you know which one to pick? Whether you’re working on a creative writing project or a professional resume, you should always choose a font […]

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  • What Is a Macro in Microsoft Word?

    What Is a Macro in Microsoft Word?

    Jul 15, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    When it comes to Microsoft Word, you might be an expert in things like font styles, bullet lists, and headings – but what about recording macros? Although macros are a little more advanced than some of Word’s other formatting tools, once you get the hang of them, they can be very useful and save you […]

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  • How to Make an Em Dash in Microsoft Word

    How to Make an Em Dash in Microsoft Word

    Jul 10, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    An em dash (the longest of the three dashes) is one of the most versatile punctuation marks. Like commas and parentheses, it can be used to set off extra information, or it can be used to introduce a clause that expands on previous information. While some writers consider em dashes less formal than commas, it’s […]

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