Writing and Editing Proofreading and Editing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which is the correct order of the editing process?
- Proofreading → Copyediting → Developmental editing
- Developmental editing → Copyediting → Proofreading (Correct answer)
- Copyediting → Developmental editing → Proofreading
- Proofreading → Developmental editing → Copyediting
Correct answer: Developmental editing → Copyediting → Proofreading
Developmental editing addresses big-picture issues first; copyediting refines language; proofreading is the final pass.
Question 2: What is 'substantive editing'?
- Correcting spelling and grammar only
- Editing that addresses content, organization, and clarity at a deeper level than copyediting (Correct answer)
- Formatting a document for publication
- Checking references and citations
Correct answer: Editing that addresses content, organization, and clarity at a deeper level than copyediting
Substantive (or developmental) editing focuses on structure, argument, and clarity rather than just surface correctness.
Question 3: Which tool is most commonly used by professional editors in the US for tracking changes in a document?
- Adobe Acrobat comments only
- Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature (Correct answer)
- Handwritten margin notes
- Highlighting with no comments
Correct answer: Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature
Microsoft Word's Track Changes is the industry-standard tool for collaborative editing and revision tracking.
Question 4: What is an 'editorial query'?
- A request to delete a section
- A question or comment left by the editor asking the author to clarify or confirm something (Correct answer)
- A style guide recommendation
- An automatic spell-check suggestion
Correct answer: A question or comment left by the editor asking the author to clarify or confirm something
An editorial query is a note asking the author to verify a fact, clarify meaning, or make a decision about a change.
Question 5: What does a 'fact-check' involve in the editing process?
- Correcting grammatical errors
- Verifying that names, dates, statistics, and other specific information in a document are accurate (Correct answer)
- Improving sentence flow
- Checking document formatting
Correct answer: Verifying that names, dates, statistics, and other specific information in a document are accurate
Fact-checking confirms the accuracy of verifiable claims in the text against reliable sources.
Question 6: Which style manual is most commonly used for journalism in the United States?
- Chicago Manual of Style
- MLA Handbook
- The Associated Press Stylebook (Correct answer)
- APA Publication Manual
Correct answer: The Associated Press Stylebook
The AP Stylebook is the standard reference for American journalism, news writing, and public relations.
Writing and Editing Proofreading and Editing 2
Which is the correct order of the editing process?