Why Editing Takes So Much Time and Effort

I am often asked why professional editors take so much time to review documents—and why editing services can cost as much as they do. I understand why many authors are surprised by the time and cost investment needed to collaborate with a professional editor. Often, authors just reach out to a collaborator or colleague for “quick feedback,” which usually results in high-level suggestions on what could be improved. But a professional editor gives much, much more than quick, high-level feedback.

A professional editor will dive deep into the draft to give valuable, constructive, and specific feedback on what can be improved (and what has been written well!). This deep dive requires an editor to have an armory of knowledge, experience, and advanced skills. As the editor reviews the draft, they need to access this armory as they carefully read the text, engage in the story, understand the authors’ intent, and advocate for readers—all while refining the writing. This careful process requires a lot of attention, consideration, time, and energy.

Questions Asked in the Editing Process

To give you some insight into this careful process, as a professional editor reviews each sentence of your draft, they ask themselves the following questions.

• Does the sentence support the core idea and story of the document?

• Does the sentence align with the topic of the paragraph?

• Does the sentence make the point the author intends?

• What does the reader already know and need to know at this point?

• What do I (or the author) want the reader to think after reading this sentence?

• What do I (or the author) want the reader to feel after reading this sentence?

• Are the sentences organized logically?

• How does this sentence connect to the preceding and following sentences?

• Does the sentence need to be in active or passive voice?

• Would the sentence be better placed somewhere else in the text?

• Is the sentence parallel internally and with neighboring sentences?

• Is the subject of the sentence clear?

• Is the verb strong and accurate?

• Does the verb agree with the subject?

• Is the verb close to the subject?

• Are the terms consistent with those used elsewhere in the text?

• Is the sentence too long or overloaded with information?

• Does the sentence contain unnecessary nominalizations that can be simplified?

• Does the sentence contain unnecessary noun strings that can be broken up?

• Does the sentence contain any long words that can be changed to shorter words?

• Does the sentence contain the most accurate words for the intended meaning?

• Does the sentence contain wordiness than can be condensed?

• Does the sentence contain redundant or repetitive details?

• Does the sentence use inclusive language?

• Are modifiers placed in the most accurate position?

• Are the words spelled correctly and consistently?

• Is the grammar correct?

• Is the punctuation correct or confusing?

• Could the sentence be written more persuasively?

• Is the tone, formality, and readability appropriate for the intended readers?

• Does the change I want to make maintain the same meaning or strengthen the intended meaning?

• If I make a change to this part of the text, will that change affect another part of the text?

• Is the formatting consistent?

• Does the text align with the required style guide?

Specialized Questions Asked in the Scientific Editing Process

In scientific and medical writing, editors need to think critically about other aspects of the writing as well. These specialized editors ask themselves even more questions.

• Does the draft contain all the required components?

• Is the data presented clearly and consistently in each part of the draft?

• Have the interpretations been framed clearly and accurately?

• Are the conclusions reasonable, overdrawn, or undermined?

• Are the tables clear and correctly formatted?

• Are the figures well-designed?

• Are the graphs the right type and have all the necessary components?

• Are references cited where needed and formatted correctly in the text?

• Are the references complete and formatted correctly?

• Are the abbreviations defined appropriately?

• Do the authors discuss the limitations or potential risks of the work?

• Do the table and figure callouts match the appropriate tables and figures?

Professional Editors Are Collaborators

Professional editors will invest a great deal of consideration, energy, and time into your writing. This investment is not only an investment in your writing, but also an investment in you. A skilled editor will be your collaborator to ensure that your writing—and you—shine.