Response to the art of editing

       As one of the general editing staffs in our publication, it’s important for me to know the art of editing to make sure that the good journal could be published successfully. There are three types or steps of editing: substantive editing, copy editing and proof editing. 

       Substantive editing fouces on the structure, content, clarity and language such as the use of metaphors and similes. This type refers to the establishment of goals, identification of audience, guidance, fill of blanks and the elimination of repetition, which helps author deliver clear and coherent writings to the target audience. 

       After finishing the substantive editing, copy editing is required to read many times because the step is concerned with the grammar, spelling, punctuation and style. In the class, I have understood a lot of common editing errors. For example, authors may use a plural pronoun for a singular antecedent.  From the specific sentence states, “This factory provides their employees many opportunities”, we can observe that “their” should be replaced by “its” because the subject is singular. 

       Completing the two types of editing above, we should proceed the proof editing which is focused on the typographical error and miscellaneous mistakes. 

       Through these three types, we need to have frequent communications with authors to improve the quality of the writings as much as possible.