International consultants are experts in their field and value professionalism. They know that high-quality outputs are what get them their next project and that it’s not just the quality of the content that matters but how it’s communicated and presented. Did you know that even by using a font that is not the ‘norm’ for a client could have a subconscious negative impact on how they perceive a document?

Good writing is an art and, if done well, will shine a light on your expertise, and engage and delight your audience… and help them to get the results they need! Proofreading for typos, spelling and grammatical accuracy are a minimum but there’s so much more! Want to take your writing to the next level, an editor can help!

Hire a proofreader and they will look for misspellings, incorrect/missed punctuation, inconsistencies (textual and numerical), etc. Hiring an editor, on the other hand, will do so much more for you! An editor corrects issues at the core of writing like sentence construction and language clarity. A thorough editing job will help improve the readability, clarity, and tone of your documents. Even native English speakers hire editors and proofreaders so their clients and other key stakeholders are not distracted from the valuable insight and expertise they offer by an odd phrase or an inaccurate spelling, inconsistent style or tone, poorly-formed sentences or jargon.

Want your writing to sing? Here are the main types of editorial services:

• Developmental editing is something that comes at the start of the writing process and includes coordinating and overseeing a project from start to finish. If you have Terms of Reference (ToRs) with reporting requirements but need direction and oversight on how to approach, organise, structure your document and transition between headline sections, then developmental editing is for you. This can also include helping you develop the ‘story line’ or narrative strategy and structure, and with setting deadlines.
• Substantive, Structural, Content, or Evaluation editing typically includes identifying and/or solving problems of clarity, re-organising sections/chapters to improve the order and flow of your document, and rewriting segments of the text to improve readability. Structural edits ensure your arguments are clear, your narrative story is developed, and your information is presented logically and accurately. A key focus for a content edit should also be the tone and voice of your manuscript. A content editor should be aware of your target audience to ensure that the way your content comes off (tone) is a good fit for that audience, and that the writing sounds like you (voice).
• Comprehensive editing happens once your document is complete, in final draft state. Some professional editors divide copy editing and line editing into two separate edits, copy editing being the lighter, grammar-only edit, and line editing being a more intense look at each sentence’s meaning.
  • Line editing is down in the weeds, so not looking at the big picture. A line editor focuses on word choice and whether each sentence has the intended impact or meaning. They want the writing to be short, simple, concise, and about the reader and without run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and clichés and jargon.
  • Copy editing is the most common type of editing. A copyeditor will meticulously check/correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and word usage while preserving the meaning and voice of your original text. An editor will impose a consistent style and format during a copy edit. They’ll also check for clarity, inconsistencies, and they’ll cross-check references to figures, tables, and pictures.
  • Mechanical or Stylistic editing refers to the application of a particular style, such as The Chicago Manual of Style or Associated Press (AP) Style. The editor looks at punctuation, capitalisation, spelling, abbreviations, and any other style rules. Many donor editorial guidelines follow the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Proofreading is the final step in the editing process before going to print or submitting to a client, and includes checking for any final errors and inconsistencies that may have slipped through during previous edits. This includes reading for typos, spelling, checking clarity, and reviewing basic grammar. Proofreading is a light edit and is meant to be a final clean up and polish before publication.

I’m an English language expert and marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the International Development sector. I love working with my clients, helping them produce high quality, professional, polished documents that attract reward and recognition, positive client testimonials and win them their next project.