Tag Archives: editing
Proofreading, Editing, and Revising
I frequently work on the writing of others, chiefly foreign speakers for whom English is a second language. Proofreading is the lightest correcting I do, revisions involve the most work. People argue greatly over what these terms mean. Here are … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing by others, Writing tips
Tagged document revisions, editing, editor, proofreading, revisions, reworking, writing
Leave a comment
When Do Your Eyes Glaze Over?
“A reader’s eyes may glaze over after they take in a couple of paragraphs about Canadian tariffs or political developments in Pakistan; a story about the reader himself or his neighbors will be read to the end.” Donald E. Graham … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips
Tagged bullet lists, editing, eyes glazing over, focus, losing concentration, rewriting
Leave a comment
Musings on Readability and Consistency
Shorter sentences tend to be more readable than long ones. Since I usually write long sentences in my first drafts (a part of brainstorming, writing whatever comes to mind), my revisions find me breaking those long sentences into shorter ones. … Continue reading
Every Writer Needs An Editor (Or Two Or Three)
No good piece gets published without help. Friends advise but they are generally too kind to comment truthfully. What’s really helpful is someone who doesn’t know you, who isn’t invested in your feelings. Further, after broad strokes are applied in … Continue reading
If I Had More Time I Would Write You A Shorter Letter
The paragraph in quotes is entirely serviceable. Given time to edit, however, it can be more dynamic and easier to read. In revising I cut the word count from 76 to 59. This takes it from the 12th grade level to the … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips
Tagged editing, editing tips, lowering word count, revising, writing, Writing tips
Leave a comment
The Writing Process
Everybody writes and edits in a different way. Here’s an example of my process. The first paragraph is my first draft and the following paragraphs the finished product. I hesitate to say finished because I will probably keep editing until I send … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips
Tagged deleting commas, editing, first draft, writing
Leave a comment
Morning Musings on Writing
If I had more time I’d write you a shorter letter. Variously attributed Is shorter writing more vigorous writing? All things being equal, is a 300 word essay on penicillin more vigorous than a 3000 word essay? It could certainly … Continue reading
