Cutting to sound track

Cutting to soundtrack is when you edit based on the soundtrack that has been chosen, for example if you have picked a fast paced song then your cuts are most likely to be fast too, so the track and the edits match. This is to keep the audience up to speed, but its also to keep the audience in the right mood for the right scene for example in a fast cut scene the music will be fast paced so the audience will be either on the edge of their seat and excited. 

Here is an example of a fast paced song matching the cuts:

Cross cutting

Cross cutting, also known as split screen, is a drama technique which has been borrowed from the world of film editing. This is where two scenes are inter cut to establish continuity. The technique is used to highlight or contrast a particular theme or aspect of the story. Using different groupings, both scenes could happen at the same time, or one could be frozen while the other comes alive. This can have a similar effect to spotlighting particular areas of the stage or using a split-screen in a film. This could be used in a chase scene for an action film. This techniques allows the audience to follow the action. 

Here is an example of cross cutting:

Editing rhythm

Editing rhythm is a technique used by editors to keep the pace of the film up to match the action that is going on in the film. Slow cuts edits has a calming, bordering feel to the edit, however fast cut edits have a lively, aggressive feel to the edit. This is done so the audience can feel the right emotion for the right scene, and so everything has a nice flow. 

Here is an example; 

Providing and withholding information

Providing and withholding information is a technique used to try to make the narrative more dramatic by giving the audience more information or taking away that information. An example of providing and withholding information would be the scene from the exorcist III. The audience know something is going to happen because of the clip lengths and cuts and you can automatically assume something bad is going to happen as soon as the police officers leave but the audience don't know what exactly is going to happen. 

Here is the Exorcist III scene 

Shot reverse shot

Shot reverse shot is usually used when two characters are having a conversation. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other. This shows the audience that the characters are having a conversation and it also allows them to see the facial expression of the character talking.

Here is an example: 

Point of view shot

A point of view shot, also known as POV shot, is a short film scene that shows what a character is looking at, its represented through the camera. It is normally shown by showing that the character is looking at something and then in the next shot showing what the character is actually looking at. 

A POV shot doesn't always need to be a direct shot which is just a shot of what the character is looking at it could be filmed as an over the shoulder shot.

Cutaways

A cutaway is a short that's usually something different to what the current action is. It could be a different subject, a close up of the subject (e.g. the subjects hands) or just about anything else.  This editing technique could also be used as a "buffer" between shots (to help the editing process), or to add interest/information.

Here is an example of a cutaway shot.