5 Steps for Editing Your Own Writing

5 Steps for Editing Your Own Writing #Editing


Whether you are working on an academic paper like an essay, a dissertation or any other form of writing, editing is a sure way to polish your work. Mistakes in writing are inevitable. Professional writers usually edit their work as many times as possible. It goes without saying that editing is beyond checking for grammar or punctuation errors in writing. It involves rewriting and restructuring a written piece. Many people assume that editing is a daunting task which is untrue. Here are 5 effective steps for editing your own writing.    

1.    Take a break

Many writers use the Pomodoro technique when writing and it has proven to be indispensable. After writing, endeavor to observe a break before editing. Making this move is a sure way to notice some of the mistakes that were previously overlooked. Don’t be in a hurry to get your work published or submitted. It’s advisable to start the writing process before the deadline in order to have a well edited paper. During the break, you can engage in other activities that are unrelated to writing.

2.    Print the written piece

Viewing your writing in a totally different format helps to present it in a different dimension. Writers from all walks of life now prefer to write directly with word processors instead of using the traditional method of writing. As a result, making a paper copy is easier and faster. Once you’ve printed a copy, get a red pen handy to highlight the errors and take notes.

3.    Enlist the help of others

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help. In fact, many people will be willing to render their assistance for your writing. You can decide to send your paper to a friend or family member with good editing skills. Their feedback can go a long way in improving your writing. Alternatively, the services of a professional editor can be hired at an affordable price. The bottom line is to deal with authentic companies only.

4.    Read it aloud

There are so many things that may be skipped when reading silently. In this wise, read your writing out loud in order to discover different mistakes. As you read, listen attentively and take notes of omitted or misspelled words. In case there is a difficulty in reading a section, make the necessary corrections promptly.

5.    Revise several times

When editing, read through the piece completely and avoid making any changes at first. Check the structure carefully. Is it logical? Does the sentences and paragraphs flow? Do they link to the next ones? always remember to create an outline before writing to make this process simpler. As you edit, get rid of irrelevant sentences or phrases and passive words. Ensure that you don’t mix up homophones because spell checkers will overlook them. Short paragraphs work best. Check that you use the proper formatting for your writing.

Perhaps you need professional assistance with your dissertation writing at an affordable price. Trusted service providers like dissertationhelp.com will give you nothing short of the best.Sound editing skills are essential when in college and also after graduating. It’s becoming one of the top skills that recruiters and hiring managers look out for in prospective employees. Editing your own writing is a continuous process that usually gets better with practice.  

0 Comments

I love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.

Thanks for being an active part of the Writers and Authors community.