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Editing Your Own Work. Self editing
Many experienced writers and
authors choose self editing - to edit their own work. This
works well if the writer is proficient in the language, understands
basic writing dictates and has a flair for words and nuances and, most
importantly, the time. They get the "opportunity" to perform a
self editing job if hiring an editor to edit and proofread their output
isn't always a readily available option, or if they prefer not to
outsource the editing job.
Here's an excellent software that works as your resident in-house editor. It does everything described in the self-editing guide below. except read aloud for you. Download a trial copy and take it for a drive now. You'll be impressed by what it can do.
Please note that this advanced software is not a grammar
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spelling, clarity, and conciseness - all trademarks of outstanding
written work. StyleWriter is a valuable writing tool, not only for
government administrators, but also for journalists, writers, authors,
students, and communicators - essentially for anyone who writes.
Editing
Guide - Self editing
Editing is a
demanding and exacting task, and demands patience, an uncluttered mind
and discipline. Self-editing is even more stringent. Self editing, as
in outsourced editing, is a multiple-pass undertaking that needs
considerable concentration. Although it always helps to have your work
professionally edited, you can correct many of the grammar and tone
issues that undermine your message.
Editing Your Writing - 'self-editing'
Writing is hard work. Editing is much more punishing -- editing usually takes nearly as long as it took to originate the writing. Here are some rudimentary rules to help keep your writing active, concise, and professional.
Read
Aloud
You don't need oratory skills for this. By reading
aloud you can immediately catch awkward phrasings and words that you
are repeating too often.
Express
in the Positive
Most of the time a sentence is
stronger when positive, though sometimes the word "not" is useful for
emphasis.
Dictionary Check
Know the exact meaning of words before using them.
Look up a word in a dictionary when you aren't sure of its
meaning. I've many times surprised myself when I have used a word
repeatedly only to find it has an entirely different meaning from
what I believed.
Action
and Active Voice
Your writing will be clearer if you structure your
sentences as subject-verb-object; expressing action rather than
outlining situations.
Synonyms
In self editing, as in any writing task, a good
thesaurus is an invaluable tool. Use a good thesaurus and look up
synonyms wherever you feel a better word might more accurately express
your intended message. Avoid using complex, multi-syllable words when
simpler ones will do.
Similes
and Metaphors
These lend color to your writing, but try to
be apposite within the context of your descriptions. Sometimes too
liberal a metaphor can shift the reader's focus and weaken your
message.
Commas
Commas separating a list of ideas are OK. Commas
setting off parenthetic expressions are alright. Other commas, however,
need careful examination -- should it be a semicolon, a colon, a dash,
or parentheses?
Rewording
or rewriting Your Language and Sentences
Important words go at the beginning of the sentence;
the important sentences are at the beginning of the paragraph. A good
practice is to briefly repeat these at the end. Keep related words
together -- adjectives next to their nouns.
Words
Have Inflection
Sometimes reading can be awkward due to the
"raggedness" of the accented syllables. Reword passages that have
too many accented syllables in close proximity.
Spell
and Grammar Check
Finally give the document the good
old spell and grammar check with Microsoft Word or any other editing
software that you prefer. But be careful. These are not perfect and
occasionally suggest corrections that make no sense whatsoever, or miss
isolated letters and other typos.
contact us if you intend to outsource your editing process
