My writing editing checklist4/18/2024 ![]() Empty Phrases: "It goes without saying" can usually be removed.Redundant Phrases: "End result" → "result" “Past history” → “history”.Redundant Adjectives/Adverbs: "Absolutely essential" → "essential" “Completely unanimous” → “unanimous”.In most cases, this wasn’t necessary-the reader knows the article is about window washing, so we needn’t repeat it each time. The words “as a window washing business”, “for a window washing business”, “of a window washing business,” appeared several times. Words implied by context: I recently edited an article for a client entitled How to open a window washing business.Here’s what to watch for: Unnecessary wordsīrevity is the soul of wit-and great writing, it turns out.Īs you edit, do your best to identify and remove superfluous words. You’ll get better results checking them individually, but it takes longer. You can ask ChatGPT to assess each of these individually or all at once. This is where we rewrite individual sentences and tweak words and phrases. Now it’s time to dig into the nitty-gritty. Second Pass: Structure and Tone (30-40 minutes) Use ChatGPT to quickly catch the most obvious issues, then trust your writer’s instincts to refine it further. You should still carefully consider each of these points yourself. (Hint: If your article is too long, tell ChatGPT you’re going to paste it in chunks and to wait until you say you’re done.)Īs a general rule, ChatGPT is decent at spotting high-level issues but not fantastic. First, I want you to assess whether I have (a) answered the reader’s question and (b) provided practical value, (c) stayed true to the audience, and (d) avoided tangents. If the answer to any of these is “no” or even “kind of”, highlight the sections that need adjusting and rewrite them accordingly. Answer the reader’s question (i.e., user intent).Put down your pen, and read through your article start to finish. We’ve provided prompts you can use throughout this article to make it even easier. Plus, you can use an AI like ChatGPT to simplify and hasten the process. And knowing this, you can hit the Submit button with confidence. The second pass looks at sentence-level issues (30-40 minutes), and the final pass is a last check for grammar and spelling (10 minutes).Īfter completing these three, quick passes, you’ll find your article is clearer, more coherent, and more enjoyable to read. The first pass looks at high-level issues and takes about 10 minutes for a 2,000-word article. ![]() We recommend self-editing in three, short “passes.” Focus on the big picture and getting better each time, rather than spending hours and hours picking over individual words and phrases. Ask any author and they’ll tell you, It’s never going to be perfect. Focus on the 20% of effort that gets you 80% of results.You’ll have an easier time assessing flow, brevity, and tone, too. Reading your work out loud will help you spot awkward sentences, logical inconsistencies, spelling and grammar mistakes, and more. If possible, edit in the morning, when your mind is clear and alert. You’re more likely to miss or introduce errors if you try to edit while you’re tired, whether mentally or physically. You’ll spot more, move faster, and enjoy it better. Your brain needs time to reflect, reorient, and regroup. Go for a walk, watch an episode of Friends, make yourself a cup of tea, work on something else-whatever. Unless you’re on a very tight deadline, be sure to take at least a few hours away from your first draft before editing it. You’ll learn what to watch for, how to fix common mistakes, and how long it should take. In this article, we pulled together advice from Eleven’s team of professional writers, editors, and account managers to create a short, practical, powerful guide to self-editing. For freelance writers, it’s an essential skill and can help you land higher-paying clients. ![]() Whether you’re writing for clients, your company, or yourself, honing your self-editing skills is a quick and easy way to improve your writing. (Few things are more satisfying than sitting back after a good round of editing and thinking, “Okay. In other words, editing takes good writing and makes it great.Īnd once you know how to do it, it’s actually one of the most enjoyable parts of the writing process, too. ![]() It makes writing clearer, sharper, and smoother, more concise, more coherent, and more compelling. In my experience, editing is one of the most important parts of the writing process. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” - Mark Twain
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