This document outlines 7 levels of editing for content, from light copy editing to full rewriting. Level 1 involves minor edits and takes 30 minutes per page. Level 2 checks for consistency and takes 40-60 minutes per page. Level 3 addresses stylistic issues and takes 2-4 extra hours. Level 4 examines structure and takes 4 hours per page. Level 5 considers context and purpose and takes 4-8 hours per page. Level 6 reworks the content and takes 8 hours plus 1-4 extra per page. Level 7 rewrites the entire document and takes 8-16 hours plus 4-8 extra per page. Higher levels involve more substantial changes and take longer to complete.

1. 7 Seven Levels of Editing
Alisha Truemper, Content Strategy & Optimization

2. T i m e t o
D e l i v e r y
All content work is not equal.
Contributing factors to how long it
will take to deliver copy include:
• Number of pages/words
• Complexity of content: basic
concepts to technical, medical, or
legal writing
• The level of content editing
• Formatting: general mark-up to
WYSIWYG
This presentation will cover the
levels of content editing which will
cover both content editing
and proofreading.

3. T i m e E s t i m a t e s
For the time estimates provided, assume documents are two pages or
shorter, single spaced, in a commonly used typeface (ex. Times New
Roman, Arial, Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica), formatted at size 10-12.
Time may be incrementally “tacked on” for each 1-2 pages added to a
single document or 1-2 page documents added to the content
professional’s workload.

4. LevelOne
L i g h t C o p y e d i t i n g
o r P r o o f r e a d i n g
The overall text and layout is satisfactory and
only requires minor grammar, punctuation
and spelling changes.
The time needed to deliver this level of
content editing is typically very short, since
the piece is in near final condition, and most-
likely has already received higher levels of
editing and proofing. Estimate in 30 minute
increments.

5. LevelTwo
M e d i u m C o p y e d i t i n g
The content professional reviews the document for
consistency with the style guide, and that the fine
details are correct, in addition to addressing
grammar, punctuation and spelling.
The time required to deliver at this level of content
editing will depend on the editor’s familiarity with
the content. Calculate in 40-60 minute increments.

6. S t y l i s t i c
E d i t i n g
Editor addresses stylistic issues,
such as wordiness, run-ons,
repetitive word usage or phrasing,
flow, tone and other stylistic
writing choices.
Delivery at this level may require
a few extra hours, so tack on 2-4
hours to your original estimate or
calculate in 2 hour increments.
This is in addition to tasks performed in the
previous levels of editing.

7. LevelFour S t r u c t u r a l
E d i t i n g
At this level the editor begins to think
about the content holistically, becoming
concerned with content structure:
information hierarchy, heading style and
structure, clarity in communicating ideas
and concepts. The editor may manage
the table of contents, if one exists.
When performing structural editing the
content professional may suggest
rewrites but will not bridge into
rewriting.
Calculate in 4 hour increments.
This is in addition to tasks performed in the
previous levels of editing.

8. LevelFive
S u b s t a n t i v e E d i t i n g
The editor considers context, audience, purpose,
delivery timeline and the author’s intent for a piece
of content. Thus, they may ask for details, sources,
proof of facts, examples, or illustrations. The editor
might suggest adjustments to ensure the content
fulfills its purpose and is appropriate for its
intended audience.
At this level the depth and length of the content
itself will have significant impact on delivery time,
thus calculate in 4-8 hour increments. A working
discovery period is beneficial to calculating
correctly for this level of content editing.
This is in addition to tasks performed in the previous levels of editing.

9. R e v i s i o n E d i t i n g
This level of editing doesn’t include the previous levels, because the
editor may take the content in a completely new direction with a new
vision, audience and/or purpose.
The content professional must reconsider decisions made to finalize the
original draft. She or he will ultimately rework the core of the existing
content.
Time to delivery will depend on content complexity and length. Start
with a basis of 8 hours and then tack on time in 1-4 hour increments.
This is like gutting an old house. You keep the foundation and the
bones, but you may move walls and repurpose or combine rooms to
better suit modern standards.
Level Six

10. LevelSeven
R e w r i t i n g
When rewriting the editor will change the voice, tone,
and stylistic nature of the content. Although the editor
will reference the original content and its sources, the
document is considered to be made completely new,
because the original content becomes a basis for what
will become the final document.
Start with a basis of 8-16 hours and tack on time in 4-8
hour increments. Double time to delivery for technical
writing.
Rewriting is like knocking down the whole house and
rebuilding atop the original foundation.

11. The SourceSource material for this presentation was taken
from the “7 levels of Editing” blog by Susan Wyche.
Read the original blog at wordvisor.com/?p=91

12. The End
Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
Alisha N. Truemper
www.wordvisor.com/?p=91