What Type of Editing Do You Need? A Self-Test

If you’re writing a book, your manuscript will need editing—let’s just get that out of the way right off the top. You, as the author, will be too close to the material to have the richest perspective on it. The question for your completed draft, then, is, What type of editing do I need?

If you need a review, there are four types or levels of editing:

  1. Developmental editing
  2. Line (or content) editing
  3. Copy editing
  4. Proofreading

Because they narrow from the big picture to the literal dots and dashes on the page, we can picture them as part of an Editing Funnel, like so:

The Editing Funnel shows how editing moves from big picture to dots and dashes
The Editing Funnel

Developmental editing looks at overall argument and organization.

Line or content editing looks at the quality of your style, word choice, paragraphs and sentences.

Copy editing is concerned with proper usage, grammar, and punctuation.

Proofreading makes sure what gets printed looks as right as it can be.

Find the Right Type of Editing with these Self-Tests

If you’ve got a complete manuscript (MS) draft but don’t know what type of editing you need, the following self-test can help you narrow things down.

Developmental Edit Self-Test

Answer the following confident, somewhat confident, or not confident.

  1. My book accomplishes the goal I set out to accomplish.
  2. My book takes my reader on a coherent journey from beginning to end.
  3. My titles and headings are clear and compelling. The reader can get the gist of the book from reading the table of contents.
  4. [Nonfiction] I have made clear points throughout. I have supported my ideas with adequate facts, narrative, research, etc.
  5. [Nonfiction] I have used sources well such that the reader understands quotations both in their original context and in my book.
  6. [Fiction] I have created believable characters, dialogue, and story.

If you answered not confident about any of these, you should probably consider a developmental edit.

Line Edit Self-Test

If you feel confident about your MS after the Developmental Edit Self-Test, then rate yourself confidence in the following:

  • Do I sound authoritative?
  • Do my voice and tone match my purpose?
  • Do my paragraphs make sense?
  • Do my sentences flow?
  • Have I chosen apt and precise words to clearly convey my meaning?

If you are unsure about any of these items, your MS could use a line edit.

Copy Edit Self-Test

The copy edit self-test is really easy:

Is this manuscript without error?

No, this is not a trick question, and yes, you should assume your MS has some errors that could be corrected.

Every manuscript needs a copy edit. The same goes for proofreading. Just accept it and find someone you trust.

If you’ve found the right level of editing for your book (or would like help confirming which is best), contact me.

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