We write to propagate thoughts, ideas, and information. It is important that not only readers read the matter but also grasp it as desired. A wrongfully written document is akin to uncooked food- purposeless and indigestible. Editing plays a pivotal role in making a write up error free and readable. Here are some editing tips which will help you identify your mistakes, and write clearly and persuasively.
1. Take time to edit: Do not start editing immediately after finishing your write up. If time permits give it a day or two, or even some hours, to sink in. You will be able to view the text with a novel perspective and will spot errors you thought never exist.
2. Read aloud: Read the text aloud, you will figure out discrepancies which numerable silent readings will not spot. You can even ask a friend to read the text for you. You will definitely hear something which you did not read.
3. Look out for structure and content first: Generally we start with rephrasing and refurbishing individual sentences and then at later stage go for additions, cuts, or rewrites. In this, we can end up doing away with the former long haul effort. So, it’s always advisable to check content and structure before digging up each sentence and word.
4. Do not edit while writing: It’s OK to correct some typo or spelling error but otherwise curb that temptation to review the document after writing every sentence. You will lose your flow and the time consumed will be equally demotivating.
5. Trust your eyes: Running spell check is always recommended but tools like these have limited dictionary. They can misspell a correct word or can miss words which form some otherwise logical meaning. Trusting your own eyes will help you overcome this limitation.
6. Cut down on inessential words or phrases: It’s more appropriate to write “a misinterpreted statement” instead of writing “a statement which was not interpreted properly”. Do not over write and cut down words adding clutter.
7. Read backward: Our mind gets so much accustomed to the words written by us that mistakes are overlooked. Reading backward will help you concentrate on grammar and spellings as the content will not distract you.
8. Write active: Get your doer do the action. Write in active voice. Passive voice is after all a passive thing and to be more clear try to write in active voice.
9. Decide your medium: Whether computer or hard copy, decide on which medium you are more comfortable while editing.
10. Write short sentences: Long sentences with many ideas tend to lose the focus of the reader and could make him disinterested. So wherever possible split a lengthy complicated sentence into two.
1. Take time to edit: Do not start editing immediately after finishing your write up. If time permits give it a day or two, or even some hours, to sink in. You will be able to view the text with a novel perspective and will spot errors you thought never exist.
2. Read aloud: Read the text aloud, you will figure out discrepancies which numerable silent readings will not spot. You can even ask a friend to read the text for you. You will definitely hear something which you did not read.
3. Look out for structure and content first: Generally we start with rephrasing and refurbishing individual sentences and then at later stage go for additions, cuts, or rewrites. In this, we can end up doing away with the former long haul effort. So, it’s always advisable to check content and structure before digging up each sentence and word.
4. Do not edit while writing: It’s OK to correct some typo or spelling error but otherwise curb that temptation to review the document after writing every sentence. You will lose your flow and the time consumed will be equally demotivating.
5. Trust your eyes: Running spell check is always recommended but tools like these have limited dictionary. They can misspell a correct word or can miss words which form some otherwise logical meaning. Trusting your own eyes will help you overcome this limitation.
6. Cut down on inessential words or phrases: It’s more appropriate to write “a misinterpreted statement” instead of writing “a statement which was not interpreted properly”. Do not over write and cut down words adding clutter.
7. Read backward: Our mind gets so much accustomed to the words written by us that mistakes are overlooked. Reading backward will help you concentrate on grammar and spellings as the content will not distract you.
8. Write active: Get your doer do the action. Write in active voice. Passive voice is after all a passive thing and to be more clear try to write in active voice.
9. Decide your medium: Whether computer or hard copy, decide on which medium you are more comfortable while editing.
10. Write short sentences: Long sentences with many ideas tend to lose the focus of the reader and could make him disinterested. So wherever possible split a lengthy complicated sentence into two.
