01Developmental: the whole book
Developmental editing examines structure, pacing, character, argument, and reader expectations. It may recommend moving chapters, developing a missing idea, or cutting repetition. This stage comes before sentence-level polish because substantial rewriting can make an earlier copyedit redundant.
02Line and copy: the reading experience
Line editing works on expression, rhythm, transitions, and clarity. Copyediting checks grammar, punctuation, terminology, and consistency. A style sheet records decisions so names, spellings, and conventions stay coherent. These services can be combined when the manuscript is ready.
03Proofreading: the final pass
Proofreading follows editing and usually takes place in the final layout. It looks for remaining typographical errors and visible inconsistencies such as broken headings or awkward page breaks. It is not a substitute for structural work or a guarantee that every error will be eliminated.