Stypes of Editing

There are various ways to edit a film. These include:

Straight Cut
The most common form of transition. This is when one scene cuts to the next instantaneously, retaining reality, making it the least noticeable of edits. This edit is so seamless that it has been given the nickname as the "invisible" cut.

Dissolves
Dissolves gradually fade one shot into the next in a fashion that means for a brief moment (the mid-point) both scenes will actually be visible on screen at the same time. This edit is commonly used to show a connection between two characters, scenarios, or objects.

Fades
This is similar to that of the dissolve, except instead of fading into the next scene, the scene fades to either black or white, before fading into the next scene. This edit is commonly used to show the passing of time.

Wipes
Wipes are a rarely used edit, as it is easy for them to appear unprofessional. If done correctly, however, they can have a great effect. Wipes are usually used to switch between two scenarios taking place at the same time but in different location, & is done so by the current scene sliding off to either the top, bottom, left or right, as the new scene appears on screen, seemingly pouching the previous scene out of frame. The scene is most commonly pushed off to the left, as this helps to give the feel that the film is moving forward & advancing. The most common use of wipes is in the critically acclaimed STAR WARS saga.

Jump Cut
The jump cut i also one of the loess common edits, though much more common than the wipe. It is possibly the attention grabbing edit due to how swift & noticeable it is, as the scene literally skips a few frames & jumps forward. This discontinuity is usually used to show a fast paced scene when the character may be rushing &/or panicking.

Graphic Match
A graphic match is when an object in one scene briefly mimics the shape of an object in the next scene. It is as the object has transferred in some way, & this form of edit can commonly be used to express a connection two scenes or objects.

Continuity Editing
Through the use of flash backs or flash forwards, the film advances in chronologically appropriate manner

Eye Line Match
A character is seen looking at an object or scenario that is off screen, the film then cuts to that object to allow us to see it after having seen the characters reaction to said item.

Match on Action
A character starts an action in one shot & continues it in the next.

Montage Theory In 1910s-20sSoviet filmmaker Lev Kuleshov created the Kuleshov effect. The phenomenon Shows us a characters face with a fairly neutral, then an object or scenario they are looking at, & then the characters neutral expression again. Through association with with what the person is looking at, we project our own emotion onto the person's face, even though they are actually expressing little to no emotions.
This video helps to explain the mental phenomenon: