Developmental Editing vs. Copyediting: Key Differences Explained

• Aug 12, 2024
• 6 mins min read

• Tags: Copy Editing, Developmental Editing, Editing, Editing and Proofreading

Enough has been said and written about the importance, struggles, and triumphs of editing a document.

But how many people actually know and can tell the differences between various kinds of editing? Editing is a far more intricate process than simply correcting surface-level grammar errors. There are different categories, as well as levels of editing, all slightly varying from one another.

Why should this matter to you though? If you have a document that needs to be edited and proofread, all you have to do is hire an editor right?

No, your job isn’t just to drop your manuscript on an editor’s desk – because not all editors offer the services you’re looking for, and you run the risk of overpaying.

So it’s important to understand the differences in levels of editing and ensure that you’re crystal clear about what you need for your document. Before you dive into that, make sure you know the differences between copyediting and developmental editing first.

What is editing? 

Editing is a really broad umbrella term used to describe the process of refining any text for grammar and language errors. An editor usually checks any given document for punctuation errors, spelling mistakes, redundancies, and run-on sentences, among other things grammar and language.  

However, as is the case with most large documents (such as dissertations, books, etc.), one can’t simply perform a cursory edit. Therefore, the editing process is divided into several steps (or levels) in order to simplify the process while also ticking off all the boxes.

For the purpose of clarity, let us assume that the first level of editing is known as copyediting or line editing.

Copyediting or line editing

These terms, often used interchangeably, refer to fixing any mechanical errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It’s essentially an overall review of your document and is the least expensive form of editing.

Some editors do tend to divide copyediting and line editing into 2 processes for the sake of convenience or more accuracy. In such cases, copyediting suggests checking the document for

• Wrong grammar
• Inconsistencies (both factual and grammar-related)
• Adherence to style and structure.

Most copy editors tend to maintain style sheets, and this often overlaps with the process of proofreading anyway. Therefore, it’s better to simply opt for proofreading at the end and line editing in the middle.

Line editing is the bridge between copyediting and developmental editing. It is a line-by-line intensive look at the entire document for language and structure. It seeks to improve the readability of the document by checking the writing style, creativity, and content. Line editing usually checks for

• Run-on lines
• Any overused words and sentences.
• Redundancies
• Unnatural jumps in tone and voice (includes plot for works of fiction). 
• Bland language

The final step of editing right before proofreading is known as developmental editing.  

What does copyediting involve?

Here’s a breakdown of what copyediting typically involves:

• Grammar and spelling correction
• Consistent style and tone
• Clarity and readability enhancement
• Formatting uniformity
• Fact-checking for accuracy
• Proper punctuation use
• Smooth flow and transitions
• Redundancy elimination
• Legal and ethical compliance

Examples of copyediting

Here are some examples of copyediting

Example 1

Before:
The company have announced there new product line which includes inovative features. The team is excited to share there creation with the market.

After:
The company has announced their new product line, which includes innovative features. The team is excited to share their creation with the market.

Example 2

Before:
The financial report which was created by the analysts was really comprehensive and it included a lot of data and numbers which were difficult to understand for the stakeholders who were not well-versed in finance.

After:
The analysts’ financial report was comprehensive, but it contained too much complex data for stakeholders unfamiliar with finance to understand easily.

Developmental Editing

As the name of the category suggests, developmental editing is a more in-depth look at the document as a whole. Although editors do check for clarity and structure at this stage as well, they also analyze the content.

Therefore, what separates this from copyediting or line editing is the fact that editors may also suggest that you rework certain sections or choose to completely omit them. This, of course, is subject to the policies of every individual editor or editing service. However, they do provide valuable feedback for your content, and the editors at this stage are usually experts and knowledgeable in the field.

Developmental or substantive editing is rather expensive, and must only be considered by people keen to have content-level feedback (such as authors and students preparing their thesis.)

What does developmental editing involve?

Developmental editing focuses on a manuscript’s overall structure, content, and organization. It goes beyond grammar and punctuation to examine the core elements of the work. This type of editing is crucial in the early stages of manuscript development and helps refine ideas, improve flow, and enhance the overall impact.

Developmental editors provide feedback on plot structure, character development, pacing, theme, and audience engagement. They may suggest significant revisions, reordering of content, and expansion or reduction of sections to strengthen the manuscript. Here’s a closer look at what developmental editing involves:

• Structure and organization
• Content development
• Plot and characterization (for fiction)
• Theme and message
• Voice and style
• Pacing and flow
• Audience engagement
• Dialogue and interaction (for fiction)
• Consistency and coherence
• Marketability

Examples of developmental editing

Example 1:

Before:
The report starts with an overview of the company’s history, then moves on to detailed financial data from the past decade, and concludes with a discussion of future goals and strategies.

After:
The report starts with a discussion of future goals and strategies, providing context for the detailed financial data from the past decade, and concludes with an overview of the company’s history to highlight its growth and evolution.

Example 2

Before:
The article briefly mentions the impact of climate change on agriculture but doesn’t provide detailed examples or data to support this point.

After:
The article includes specific examples and data, such as the reduction in crop yields in California due to prolonged droughts and the increase in pests in the Midwest, to illustrate the impact of climate change on agriculture.

Examples of developmental editing vs. copyediting

Now that we have seen the differences between developmental editing and copyediting, let us see some examples of how different the text reads in each case.

Here is the paragraph that we will analyze and edit:

Original paragraph:

The weather was extremely bad that day. The storm was powerful, and it caused a lot of damage. Many people were stuck in their homes, and they couldn’t go outside. The rain was coming down heavily, and the wind was blowing very hard. It was a terrible day for everyone who was affected by the storm.

How to choose between developmental editing vs. copyediting

Developmental editing vs. copyediting is a potent debate that often arises in the writing and publishing process, as choosing the right approach can greatly impact the quality and success of a manuscript.

When to choose copyediting

• Polishing language and grammar: If your manuscript is structurally sound and you’re confident in the overall content, but you need help with grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax, copyediting is appropriate.
• Ensuring consistency: When you need to ensure consistency in style, tone, terminology, and formatting throughout the manuscript.
• Preparing for publication: If your manuscript is in the final stages and you need a thorough review to catch any remaining errors before submission or publication.
• Improving readability: When the focus is on enhancing readability by refining sentences and improving flow without making significant changes to the content.

When to choose developmental editing

• Structuring and organizing content: If your manuscript needs significant changes in structure and organization, such as rearranging sections, chapters, or scenes to improve flow and coherence.
• Developing ideas and themes: When you need help developing ideas, themes, and messages, ensuring they are clearly conveyed and effectively explored throughout the manuscript.
• Enhancing plot and characterization (for fiction): If your story requires development in plot, pacing, character arcs, and dialogue to create a more compelling narrative.
• Deepening content: When your manuscript could benefit from adding more detailed examples, explanations, or research to fully develop the content and support your arguments or storytelling.
• Improving voice and style: If you need to refine the voice and style to ensure it aligns with your intended audience and enhances the overall impact of your writing.
• Aligning with market expectations: When you want to ensure your manuscript meets market expectations and enhances its potential for publication, including addressing genre conventions and audience preferences.

Now that you’ve come to understand the different levels of editing, you can begin to imagine the kind of skill, time, and effort it’s going to take you to perfect your document. And then there’s proofreading to be done after that, which is a whole different area.

So what do you do? Send in your document to PaperTrue, of course! Our editors would be happy to help you. We provide copyediting and line editing, as well as a version of developmental editing suited to your needs.

P.S – The terms may vary slightly in publishing, and the above is just a general understanding of the same. You can always check with your editor beforehand.

Want to read more about editing. Here’s a list of articles you might find interesting:

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Rashmi

Rashmi is a versatile writer with a passion for developing engaging long-form content. With a keen interest in both academic and business spheres, she enjoys creating comprehensive content pieces that readers find informative and interesting. She endeavors to exercise her intellectual curiosity, explore new perspectives, and consider different possibilities through her writing.