There are many definitions of editing. At its heart, editing is about clear communication and making it easy for the reader. An important way to achieve that is through consistency. Consistency is part of making it easy for the reader by avoiding distractions.

Consistency applies to all aspects of a document from the micro to the macro scale. It includes decisions about the basics of spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalisation, hyphenation, abbreviations and acronyms, numbers, symbols and common terms. It can refer to sentence and paragraph length and structure which affect the general reading level of a document. It can also refer to the look of a document, from formatting and the heading hierarchy to tables and figures. For documents with sources, consistent use of references both in the text and in the reference list is important and can contribute to the credibility of research work.

Editors and writers make choices about style all the time to meet the needs of their audience and the message. Editing is about decision making, and editors make and implement decisions efficiently and accurately. While there is not always right and wrong in editing, it is important to be consistent within a document.

To ensure consistency and clear communication, there are style manuals and tools for different audiences and purposes. The Australian government’s Style Manual, now available online, has been complemented by other manuals such as the online Australian manual of style. There are guides for the many different styles of referencing, some with minor variations in punctuation. Not everyone will agree there is one accepted right decision. However, using a style guide or style sheet can help ensure consistency throughout a document and over time.

See my blogs on related aspects of consistency:

• New Style Manual now online
• Achieving consistency with multiple authors
• Use your table of contents to check consistency of headings
• Set up a Style Sheet to ensure consistency for your project

To work with an accredited editor who strives for consistency and quality, please contact me at rhdaniels@bigpond.com