What is stylistic editing?

Stylistic editing focuses on the clarity, flow and rhythm of the language. 
​​​Clarity
A stylistic edit:
  • improves the construction of sentences to convey the intended meaning more effectively
  • improves word choice to more effectively convey meaning
  • rewrites sentences, paragraphs and passages to resolve ambiguities, ensure logical connections and clarify the author’s meaning or intention, in harmony with the style of the material
Flow
A stylistic edit:
  • ensures that transitions between sentences and paragraphs are smooth and support the development of the text as a whole
  • reorders sentences within a paragraph to ensure that the paragraph has a clear and coherent focus
  • adjusts the length and structure of paragraphs to ensure variety or consistency, depending on the audience and medium
  • adjusts the length and structure of sentences to ensure variety or consistency, depending on the audience and medium
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Language
A stylistic edit:
  • determines the language and reading level appropriate for the intended audience and medium
  • establishes or maintains that language and level, for example by translating jargon into understandable terms, using vocabulary suitable to the material, dividing long or complicated sentences into simpler ones.
  • establishes or maintains a consistent tone, style and voice or level of formality appropriate for the intended audience and medium.
  • eliminates wordiness, for example by deleting redundancies, empty phrases, and unnecessary adjectives.