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{{Short description|Process of selecting and preparing media}}
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[[Image:Seattle Daily Times news editor quarters - 1900.jpg|thumb|"Quarters of the news editor", one of a group of four photos in the 1900 [[brochure]] ''Seattle and the Orient'', which was collectively captioned "[[The Seattle Times|The Seattle Daily Times]]—Editorial Department".]]

'''Editing''' is the process of selecting and preparing [[written language|written]], [[Image editing|visual]], [[Audio engineer|audible]], or [[Film editing|cinematic]] material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, and many other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate and complete piece of work.<ref>Mamishev, Alexander, Williams, Sean, ''Technical Writing for Teams: The STREAM Tools Handbook'', Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, John Wiley & Sons. Inc., Hoboken, 2009, p. 128.</ref>

The editing process often begins with the author's idea for the work itself, continuing as a collaboration between the author and the editor as the work is created. Editing can involve creative skills, human relations and a precise set of methods.<ref>{{cite web|title=Encarta Dictionary definition of "editing" |url=http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/editing.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022154750/http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/editing.html |archive-date=22 October 2009 |url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Encarta Dictionary definition of 'editor' |url=http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/editor.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206041848/http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/editor.html |archive-date=6 February 2009 |url-status = dead}}</ref> Practicing editing can be a way to reduce language error in future literature works.<ref name=":6">Diab, N. M. (2010). Effects of peer-versus self-editing on students' revision of language errors in revised drafts. ''System'', ''38''(1), 85–95.</ref>

[[File:Editorial office of Bild newspaper, West Berlin, 1977.jpg|thumb|right|Editors work on producing an issue of ''[[Bild]]'', [[West Berlin]], 1977. Previous front pages are affixed to the wall behind them.]]
There are various editorial positions in publishing. Typically, one finds editorial assistants reporting to the senior-level editorial staff and directors who report to senior executive editors. Senior executive editors are responsible for developing a product for its final release. The smaller the publication, the more these roles overlap.

The top editor at many publications may be known as the [[chief editor]], [[executive editor]], or simply the editor. A frequent and highly regarded contributor to a [[magazine]] may acquire the title of editor-at-large or [[contributing editor]]. Mid-level newspaper editors often manage or help to manage sections, such as business, sports and features. In U.S. newspapers, the level below the top editor is usually the [[managing editor]].

{{anchor|Symposium editor|Volume editor}}In the book [[publishing]] industry, editors may organize [[Anthology|anthologies]] and other compilations, produce definitive editions of a classic author's works (scholarly editor), and organize and manage contributions to a multi-author book (symposium editor or volume editor). Obtaining manuscripts or recruiting authors is the role of an ''acquisitions editor'' or a ''[[commissioning editor]]'' in a publishing house.<ref name="PolandLouise">Poland, Louise, The business, Craft and Profession of the Book Editor, in Carter, David, Galligan, Anne, (eds.), ''Making books: contemporary Australian publishing'', Queensland University Press, 2007, p. 100.</ref> {{anchor|Sponsoring editor}}Finding marketable ideas and presenting them to appropriate authors are the responsibilities of a sponsoring editor.

[[copy editing|Copy editor]]s correct [[spelling]], [[grammar]] and align writings to [[style guide|house style]]. Changes to the [[publishing]] industry since the 1980s have resulted in nearly all copy editing of book manuscripts being outsourced to [[freelance]] copy editors.<ref name="PolandLouise" />

{{anchor|Press editor}}At [[newspaper]]s and [[wire services]], press or copy editors write headlines and work on more substantive issues, such as ensuring accuracy, fairness, and taste. In some positions, they [[news design|design pages]] and select news stories for inclusion. At British and Australian newspapers, the term is ''sub-editor''. They may choose the layout of the publication and communicate with the printer. These editors may have the title of ''[[News design|layout or design editor]]'' or (more so in the past) ''makeup editor''.

In [[film editing]], many editing techniques are used, such as [[Video post-processing|post-processing]] and video and audio assembly.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Orpen |first=Valerie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UtbhRnmQj3AC&dq=film+editing&pg=PA1 |title=Film Editing: The Art of the Expressive |date=2003 |publisher=Wallflower Press |isbn=978-1-903364-53-6 |language=en}}</ref>

==Scholarly books and journals==
[[File:2008-01-26 (Editing a paper) - 31.jpg|thumb|A draft of a scholarly publication that has been edited.]]
Within the publishing environment, editors of scholarly books are of three main types, each with particular responsibilities:
* ''Acquisitions editor'' (or ''commissioning editor'' in Britain), who contracts with the author to produce the copy
* {{anchor|Project editor}}''Project editor'' or ''production editor'', who sees the copy through its stages from manuscript to bound book and usually assumes most of the budget and schedule responsibilities
* {{anchor|Manuscript editor}}''Copy editor'' or ''manuscript editor'', who prepares the copy for conversion into printed form.

In the case of multi-author [[edited volume]]s, before the manuscript is delivered to the publisher it has undergone substantive and linguistic editing by the volume's editor, who works independently of the publisher.

{{anchor|Main editor}}As for [[scholarly journal]]s, where spontaneous submissions are more common than commissioned works, the position of ''journal editor'' or [[editor-in-chief]] replaces the acquisitions editor of the book publishing environment, while the roles of production editor and copy editor remain. However, another editor is sometimes involved in the creation of scholarly research articles. Called the [[authors' editor]], this editor works with authors to get a manuscript fit for purpose before it is submitted to a scholarly journal for publication.

The primary difference between copy editing scholarly books and journals and other sorts of copy editing lies in applying the standards of the publisher to the copy. Most scholarly publishers have a preferred style that usually specifies a particular dictionary and style manual—for example, ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'', the ''[[MLA Style Manual]]'' or the [[APA style|''APA Publication Manual'']] in the U.S., or the ''[[New Hart's Rules]]'' in the U.K.

== Editing in the 21st century ==
Editing has a long history dating back to the earliest times of written language. Over time, editing has evolved greatly, particularly with the emergence of new forms of media and language that have led to a move towards [[multimodality]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Buehler |first=Mary Fran |date=1981 |title=Defining Terms in Technical Editing: The Levels of Edit as a Model |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43094307 |journal=Technical Communication |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=10–15 |jstor=43094307 }}</ref> Today, [[Hard copy|hardcopies]] and print are no longer the main focus of editing as new content like film and audio require different kinds of edits.

Technical editing is now more commonly done using applications and websites on devices, which requires editors to be familiar with online platforms like [[Adobe Acrobat]], [[Microsoft Office]], and [[Google Docs]]. The significance and intentions behind editing have also changed, moving beyond print due to the continuous advancements in technology. As a result, the grounds and values of editing have changed as well.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal |last=Buehler |first=Mary Fran |date=1981 |title=Defining Terms in Technical Editing: The Levels of Edit as a Model |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43094307 |journal=Technical Communication |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=10–15 |jstor=43094307}}</ref> For instance, text is often shortened and simplified online because of the preference for quick answers among this generation. Additionally, the advancement in social issues has made it possible to offer easy access to vast amounts of information.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Hayhoe |first=George F |date=2007 |title=The Future of Technical Writing and Editing |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43089503 |journal=Technical Communication |volume=54 |issue=3 |pages=281–282 |jstor=43089503 }}</ref>

Apart from editing written work, video editing has also evolved. Nowadays, [[non-linear editing]] is the main way of editing video clips, but in the 1900s, it was [[Linear video editing|linear editing]]. As computer systems and software have developed, video clips are now able to be uploaded directly to the editing software, making the editing process quicker. With this evolution of editing, creativity has been sped up, editing has become easier, and there are now countless ways for writers to tell stories.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SocialGuru |date=2023-06-24 |title=The Evolution of Video Editing: From Analog to Digital |url=https://medium.com/@freelancekhayam/the-evolution-of-video-editing-from-analog-to-digital-d5396b18758b |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>

== Visual editing ==
[[File:Una postazione tipo.jpg|thumb|Editing visuals can involve a variety of professional tools such as a media keyboard in use at [[France 24]].]]
In terms of editing visual content, the two main forms are photographic and cinematic. Photo editing has evolved considerably from humble means, dating back to the early 20th century. During the 1920s, photographers established a new discipline of creative editing by creating collages from multiple photos.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-16 |title=History of digital photo manipulation {{!}} National Science and Media Museum |url=https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/digital-photo-manipulation-history |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> By the late 1980s, it became possible to computerize images by running physical photos through a scanner. Over time, software began to develop, aimed toward the manipulation of different qualities of a photo. Today, there are a multitude of applications to choose from to edit the content or qualities of photos; PhotoShop is a common example, as well as other applications such as Adobe Lightroom. Modern photo editing techniques include, but are not limited to linearization, white balance, noise reduction, tone reproduction and compression.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 1: Develop a Lightroom + Photoshop Mindset - Crafting the Landscape Photograph with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop [Book] |url=https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/crafting-the-landscape/9781681989907/xhtml/chapter1.xhtml |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.oreilly.com |language=en}}</ref>

The other form of visual editing is [[Film editing|cinematic]] editing. Cinematic editing entails anything that is to be used as cinematic material, mainly films. Cinematic editing dates back to the early 1900s when American filmmaker, [[D. W. Griffith|D.W. Griffith]], produced the first films that essentially paved the way for the editing techniques that are still used today.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crittenden |first=Roger |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781135372705 |title=Film and Video Editing |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-37270-5 |language=en |doi=10.4324/9780203427866}}</ref> The progression of technology brought about advancements in gear, which meant filmmakers were able to achieve new techniques in the post-production process through editing. Editors went from physically cutting and rearranging film to working on virtual timelines using software like [[DaVinci Resolve|Davinci Resolve]] or [[Adobe Premiere Pro|Premiere pro]].

== Self-editing ==
Self-editing is the process of evaluating one's own writing and fixing errors. This does not require any specialized knowledge, and simply aims to improve the overall quality of a literary work. It is an essential part of the editing process, benefiting both language learners and those writing in their native language.

Students often find learning about editing rewarding in both learning a language<ref>Ferris, Dana R; Hsiang Liu; Aparna Sinha; Manuel Senna. (2013). Written corrective feedback for individual L2 writers. ''Journal of Second Language Writing 22.3'', 307–329. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2012.09.009</nowiki></ref> and improving language skills. However, the writing field currently debates whether self-editing is the best way to reduce errors in student writing. Some studies have shown that self-editing is more effective at reducing language errors in the short term than peer-editing.<ref name=":0">Diab, N. M. (2016). A comparison of peer, teacher and self-feedback on the reduction of language errors in student essays. ''System'', ''57'', 55–65.</ref> However, in the long term, both approaches have similar effects on students.<ref name=":0" /> Others have found that the collaborative dialogue provided by peer-editing may cause it to be much better at reducing language errors than self-editing.<ref name=":6" />

Today, self-editing is being taught in numerous ways. Some researchers have found a significant improvement in student essays through self-editing worksheets.<ref>Holbrook, G., & Park, V. J. (2017). Student perceptions of the effectiveness of self-editing on their writing: towards a self-regulated approach. ''Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education'', ''12''. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.v0i12.425</nowiki></ref> Others have experimented with mobile apps. Similar to the worksheets, these mobile based editing exercises have been shown to reduce error specifically in English learners' papers.<ref>Li, Z. and Hegelheimer, V. (2013) 'Mobile-assisted grammar exercises: effects on self-editing in L2 writing', ''Language Learning & Technology'', 17(3), pp.135-156.</ref> Just as applications like [[Google Docs]] and [[Grammarly]] can highlight grammatical errors, these applications may teach students to identify these mistakes, among others, by themselves.

While there hasn't yet been a definitive answer on the best editing techniques to improve language errors, numerous studies have shown that learning to edit helps in both learning a language and improving native language skills.

==Technical editing==
{{see also|Technical writing|Technical communication}}
Technical editing involves reviewing text written on a technical topic, identifying usage errors and ensuring adherence to a [[style guide]]. It aims to improve the clarity of the text or message from the author to the reader. Technical editing is actually the umbrella term for all the different kinds of edits that might occur.<ref name=":2"/>

Technical editing may include the correction of grammatical mistakes, misspellings, mistyping, incorrect punctuation, inconsistencies in usage, poorly structured sentences, wrong scientific terms, wrong units and dimensions, inconsistency in significant figures, technical ambivalence, technical disambiguation, statements conflicting with general scientific knowledge, correction of synopsis, content, index, headings and subheadings, correcting data and chart presentation in a research paper or report, and correcting errors in citations.

From basics to more critical changes, these adjustments to the text can be categorized by the different terms within technical editing. There are policy edits, integrity edits, screening edits, copy clarification edits, format edits and mechanical style edits, language edits, etc.<ref name=":2"/>

The two most common and broad are substantive editing and copy editing. Substantive editing is developmental because it guides the drafting process by providing essential building blocks to work off of. They work closely with the author to help supply ideas. Copy editing happens later in the drafting process and focuses on changing the text so that it's consistent throughout in terms of accuracy, style, flow, and so on. This is usually the preferred editing for the surface-level cleaning up of work.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Nobles |first=Heidi |date=2019 |title=I will not edit your paper (Will I?): Tutoring and/or editing in the writing center [Tutors' column] |url=https://wlnjournal.org/archives/v43/43.5-6.pdf |journal=WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship |volume=43 |issue=5–6 |pages=21–24 |doi=10.37514/WLN-J.2019.43.5.05 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328154503/https://wlnjournal.org/archives/v43/43.5-6.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Large companies dedicate experienced writers to the technical editing function. Organizations that cannot afford dedicated editors typically have experienced writers peer-edit text produced by less experienced colleagues.

It helps if the technical editor is familiar with the subject being edited. The "technical" knowledge that an editor gains over time while working on a particular product or technology does give the editor an edge over another who has just started editing content related to that product or technology.

General essential skills include attention to detail, patience, persistence, the ability to sustain focus while working through lengthy pieces of text on complex topics, tact in dealing with writers, and excellent communication skills. Additionally, one does not need an English major to partake but language aptitude certainly helps.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Putnam |first=Constance E. |date=1985 |title=Myths about Editing |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43095639 |journal=Technical Communication |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=17–20 |jstor=43095639 }}</ref>

==Editing services==
{{Redirect|Paid editing|paid editing on Wikipedia|Paid editing on Wikipedia}}

Editing is a growing field of work in the [[service industry]]. There is little career training offered for editors.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Malone |first=Micheal S. |title="Editing" The Craft of Professional Writing: A Guide for Amateur and Professional Writers |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-78308-830-0 |pages=283–292}}</ref> '''Paid''' '''editing services''' may be provided by specialized editing firms or by self-employed ([[Freelancer|freelance]]) editors.

Editing firms may employ a team of in-house editors, rely on a network of individual contractors or both.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Appiah |first=Bernard |title=Science editing at an Indian firm: perspectives of two US visitors |journal=Science Editing |year=2009 |volume=32 |issue=4 |pages=118–119 |url=http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/files/scienceeditor/v32n4p118-119.pdf |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928030255/http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/files/scienceeditor/v32n4p118-119.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-28 }}</ref> Such firms are able to handle editing in a wide range of topics and genres, depending on the skills of individual editors. The services provided by these editors may be varied and can include [[proofreading]], [[copy editing]], [[online editing]], [[developmental editing]], editing for [[search engine optimization]], etc.

Self-employed editors work directly for clients (e.g., authors, publishers) or offer their services through editing firms, or both. They may specialize in a type of editing (e.g., copy editing) and in a particular subject area. Those who work directly for authors and develop professional relationships with them are called [[author editing|authors' editors]]. There is hope for self-employed editors because all editing differs based on tradition, experience, education, personal style, values, etc.<ref name=":4"/>

==See also==
* [[Audio editing]]
* [[Author editing]]
* [[Film editing]]
* [[Literary editor]]
* [[Redaction]]
* [[Social edition]]
* [[Stealth edit]]
* [[Textual scholarship]]
* [[Video editing]]
* [[Writer]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |last=Overholser |first=Geneva |date=December 1998 |title=Editor Inc. |url=http://ajrarchive.org/article.asp?id=3290 |journal=[[American Journalism Review]] }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book
 |last1=Stephen
 |first1=Leslie
 |author-link1=Leslie Stephen
 |title=Studies of a Biographer 
 |url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Studies_of_a_Biographer
 |volume=1 |year=1898
 |publisher=Duckworth and Co.
 |location=London
 |pages=37–73 |chapter=The Evolution of Editors |chapter-url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Studies_of_a_Biographer/The_Evolution_of_Editors
}}
* {{Cite news|last=Morrison|first=Blake|date=6 August 2005|title=Black day for the blue pencil|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/aug/06/featuresreviews.guardianreview1|url-status=live|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413220616/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/aug/06/featuresreviews.guardianreview1}}
* {{cite book
 |last1=Ó Brógáin
 |first1=Séamas
 |title=A Dictionary of Editing
 |url=http://www.claritas.ie/
 |volume=1
 |year=2015
 |publisher=Claritas
 |location=Dublin
 |archive-date=1 September 2017
 |access-date=25 May 2016
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901233313/http://www.claritas.ie/
 |url-status=dead
 }}
* Greenberg, Susan L. (2015) ''Editors talk about editing:'' ''insights for readers, writers and publishers'', New York: Peter Lang
* Munro, Craig (2021) ''Literary Lion Tamers: book editors who made publishing history,'' Brunswick, Victoria: Scribe Publications {{ISBN|9781925713220}}

==External links==
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[[Category:Editing| ]]
[[Category:Journalism occupations]]
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