In line editing the editor (or writer line editing her own work) attempts to make the prose powerful and surprising. Here are a few things line editors might focus on, but remember, the real goal is to bring dazzle and spark to the writing.

• Address any remaining content issues
• Tightening:
  • Needless words, sentences
  • Redundancies (a grammar site here has some good examples)
  • Repetitions (same point made over again)
• Confusing phrases, sentences, or sections
• Tone problems
• Awkward or unnatural phrasing; confusing or unclear phrasing
• Unneeded material or digressions
• Use of hackneyed or dull language