EDITING

No matter the type or size of your project, we can make your ideas come alive.

Most of the editing projects that come our way fall under the following categories:

• Academic – essays, theses/dissertations, journal articles
• Educational – textbooks, examinations, teachers’ manuals, course descriptions/syllabi
• Corporate/Marketing – business letters, presentations, ad copy, press releases, brochures, web content
• Creative – short stories, novellas, creative non-fiction

Chances are, if you’ve written something, be it an essay, a newsletter or a book, your work can greatly benefit from a second reader, or someone who can approach your work with objectivity, diligence and a fresh perspective. But what specifically can an editor do for you?

Here are some definitions of different editing tasks:

Developmental/Project Editing

• Coordination and supervision of an editing project from proposal to final product
• Working with authors, consultants and reviewers to ensure editorial vision and quality is upheld throughout the entire project

Substantive/Structural Editing

• Improving clarity, organization and structure of a text
• Working with the author to suggest structural or content changes and helping the author to implement those changes as needed

Stylistic Editing

• Improving the wording of a text by eliminating jargon and clichés, smoothing language, clarifying convoluted sentences and removing redundancies

Copy Editing

• Correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation and other mechanical errors
• Checking for consistency of mechanics and internal consistency of facts
• Checking for correct placement of tables and figures and accuracy of captions, headings and subheadings
• Assuring consistency of regional spellings or terms (e.g. Canadian vs. American spelling)

Fact-Checking

• Checking for accuracy of facts, quotes and references in a text by comparing them with original sources used by the author

Proofreading

• Checking the proofs of an edited, formatted manuscript for any lingering errors or inconsistencies in headers, line and page breaks, page numbering and location of tables and figures

Rewriting

• Re-creating a manuscript, in whole or in part, to meet the needs of the client, in cases where the client’s original manuscript does not meet prescribed needs or standards

[The Editors' Association of Canada website was consulted during the compilation of these definitions.]

WRITING

Clear, concise written communication is one of the keys to success in business. If you are looking to attract new clients, to communicate more effectively with colleagues or to impress prospective employers, SO Succinct can produce professional, pitch-perfect writing to suit any need.

Advertising Material

• Print ad copy
• Ad scripts
• Press releases
• Advertorials
• Brochures
• Website content

Corporate/Business Material

• Presentations
• Manuals
• Business letters and memos
• Newsletters

Career Services

• CVs/résumés
• Cover letters
• Letters of reference

TUTORING

If you need help understanding your assignments, want to improve your test scores, or if you are an ESL student simply wishing to practice communicating in English, we can help you reach and even surpass your goals.

ESL Students

• Conversation
• Reading
• Writing
• Help with school assignments

Post-Secondary Students (undergraduate)

• Liberal arts
• Communications and media
• Creative and professional writing

MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATION

If you have a piece of writing that you are hoping to get published, but you want to get some honest, constructive feedback before you start approaching publishers, send us your manuscript. We will not only critique your writing, but will also compile a shortlist of prospective publishers and their submission guidelines, then help you put together a submission package.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION

If you have taped interviews, lectures or presentations that you need to put in written form, send us the audio files and we will produce accurate written transcriptions.