Course Description
Each level of editing requires a different focus. Understanding the level of editing that a document needs is necessary for success. Developmental editing, specifically, requires a very in-depth approach. It’s an extensive process that can begin before the writing starts, when the editor helps the writer plan out the intended document. You may be involved in helping develop an outline, planning research, and picking some strategies for the work ahead. This takes more time than a simple edit and requires careful and skillful consideration of the document.
In these lessons on Developmental Editing, you’ll learn how to find a document’s purpose and overall aim, assuring that the intended audience will understand and benefit from the document. You’ll also learn to do a thorough review and remove things such as repetition, irrelevant points, rambling, and other obvious issues. In addition, you’ll learn to make sure that there’s a logical, smooth flow to the document that provides a good reading experience for the audience.
What You'll Learn
- Describe the importance of developmental editing and why it requires an in-depth approach
- Identify a document's purpose and overall aim so the intended audience understands and benefits from it
- Detect and correct issues such as repetition, irrelevant points, and rambling
- Review a document thoroughly to remove obvious issues
- Ensure a document has a logical, smooth flow that gives the audience a good reading experience
Key Takeaways
- Each level of editing requires a different focus, and recognizing the level a document needs is necessary for success.
- Developmental editing is an extensive process that can begin before the writing starts, with the editor helping the writer plan the intended document.
- A developmental editor may help develop an outline, plan research, and pick strategies for the work ahead.
- Knowing a document's purpose and overall aim helps ensure the intended audience will understand and benefit from it.
- Developmental editing involves removing repetition, irrelevant points, and rambling, and ensuring a logical, smooth flow for the reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Developmental Editing course cover?
It covers how to find a document's purpose and overall aim, how to do a thorough review that removes issues such as repetition, irrelevant points, and rambling, and how to ensure a document has a logical, smooth flow that provides a good reading experience for the audience.
How is developmental editing different from a simple edit?
Developmental editing requires a very in-depth approach and is an extensive process that can begin before the writing starts. It takes more time than a simple edit and requires careful, skillful consideration of the document, including helping plan the outline, research, and strategies.
What skills will I gain from this course?
You will learn to describe the importance of developmental editing, explain the importance of knowing a document's purpose, and identify and correct mistakes in repetition, irrelevant points, or rambling.
How is the course structured?
The course is organized into lessons: Introduction, Understanding the Purpose, Removing Obvious Issues (Part 1 and Part 2), Document Flow, and a Test Your Knowledge section.
