Creative Writing Editing and Revision 2

Question 1

What is 'copy editing'?

Accepted Answer

Editing that corrects grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and factual errors at the sentence level

Answer

Copy editing is the process of correcting grammatical errors, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and factual accuracy at the sentence and word level.

Question 2

What does it mean to 'cut for clarity' during revision?

Accepted Answer

Removing unnecessary words, repetition, and tangential content that obscures the main idea

Answer

Cutting for clarity means eliminating redundant phrases, over-explanation, and tangential information that muddies your meaning and slows readers down.

Question 3

What is 'overwriting' in creative writing?

Accepted Answer

Using too many words, excessive description, or elaborate language where simpler prose would be more effective

Answer

Overwriting is the tendency to use excessive description, purple prose, or unnecessary words where simpler, more direct language would create greater impact.

Question 4

What is 'passive voice' and why do writing guides often advise against it?

Accepted Answer

Passive voice places the action's recipient as subject, which can obscure agency and weaken prose

Answer

Passive voice constructs sentences where the subject receives rather than performs the action (e.g., 'The ball was thrown by him'), which often weakens sentence impact and buries agency.

Question 5

What is 'consistency' in manuscript editing?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring uniform use of spelling, style, character details, timeline, and world rules throughout the manuscript

Answer

Consistency in editing means ensuring that character names, physical descriptions, timelines, world-building rules, and stylistic choices remain uniform throughout the entire manuscript.

Creative Writing Practice Test

Creative Writing Practice Test

Creative Writing Editing and Revision 2