Line Editing

At this stage, I edit your text line-by-line for clarity and flow, attending to sentence and paragraph structure, transitions, pacing, and argument. I edit to clarify meaning and ensure a logical progression of ideas, querying any gaps in the argument and any unclear or contradictory concepts and claims. I improve readability by addressing issues such as over-quoting and missing transitions and by tightening sentences to help sustain a sense of momentum. I also correct errors in grammar, punctuation, syntax, and usage.

My goal in line editing is to ensure that—at a paragraph-by-paragraph, sentence-by-sentence level—it is easy for readers to follow and stay engaged with your ideas. I shape and polish your prose to help readers to understand all of the points that you’ve worked hard to develop.

I offer line editing both as a stand-alone service and as the final phase in my developmental editing process. Line editing is billed hourly; estimated range (with firm upper limit) provided.

You can choose between single-pass line editing (my default service, which includes a single round of edits) and iterative line editing (in which I also provide further suggestions or edits based on your responses to my queries).