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When crafting content, sometimes you need an extra set of eyes to help you not only hone the arguments but also organize the information so that your ideas are communicated as effectively as possible.
That’s where structural editing can help you improve your writing.
What is Structural Editing?
Structural and developmental editing are two different types of editing that focus on different aspects of the writing process. Structural editing concerns the overall structure and organization of a piece of writing, while developmental editing is focused on the development of the content and ideas within the writing.
Structural editing examines the organization of the piece, the flow and logic of the arguments, and whether the structure effectively supports the main points.
Structural editors may suggest reorganizing the piece, adding or deleting sections, or restructuring paragraphs to improve the overall flow and coherence of the writing.
Structural Editing vs Developmental Editing
A common question we receive is, “What’s the difference between structural and developmental editing?”
The two can appear the same on a surface level, but there are some key differences.
Where structural editing focuses on the structure and flow of content, developmental editing focuses on the content and ideas within the writing.
Developmental editors help writers clarify their ideas, develop their arguments more fully, and ensure that their writing is engaging and well-written. They may also suggest adding or deleting content while providing feedback on the overall development of the ideas within the writing. Structural editors do some of this as well, but they focus more on the organization of the content.
Both structural editing and developmental editing are valuable parts of the editing process that improve the quality of a piece of writing, but they focus on different aspects of the writing process.
It’s not uncommon for writers to work with both types of editors to ensure that their writing is as strong and effective as possible, but many editors also do both structural and developmental editing at the same time.
Where Structural Editing Fits In The Editing Process
Structural editing is one of the earliest phases of editing, often happening before or at the same time as developmental editing. When paired with developmental editing, structural editing can help a writer work through their ideas or understand how the piece can be improved by reorganizing content.
It is important to note that most writers or marketers do not think about “structural” vs. “developmental” vs. “copy editing” when writing or finalizing a piece. Editing most often happens in two phases:
- Once the first draft is done, the first phase of editing involves structural and developmental editing. The writer gets feedback, and the piece is heavily edited. The writer then does a second draft to incorporate the feedback.
- Once feedback is incorporated and the piece is ready for finalization, they will send it to an editor for line editing (clarifying and synthesizing), copy editing, and proofreading to make sure it adheres to brand standards and is free of typos and errors.
Need Structural Editing For Your Content?
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If you’re producing content for marketing, you need an EditorNinja Dedicated Editor on your side.