Developmental/Structural Editing
• “Big-picture” editing of a completed (or near-complete) manuscript. Editor objectively analyzes
the manuscript as a whole and comments on overall structure, clarity, voice, theme, character
development, plot, pacing, and factual inconsistencies. Culminates in a written critique of the manuscript.
• Developmental editing sometimes involves working with an author to develop a book or other
document from initial concept, outline, or draft through any number of subsequent drafts.
• It can also involve researching, or making suggestions on content and organization based on
analysis of competing works.
