Today’s EyeEdit Writing Tip: Rely on eye, ear,  timing, and outside help when you edit.

When you edit you may choose to follow these steps:

1. Write the first draft free style, ignoring language rules.  Let your ideas flow without a censor trying to make you stop to correct yourself.

2.  Let the censor loose to correct all the errors you can see (and spell-check missed).

3. Read the draft out loud and correct all the errors you can hear and all the sections that do not sound smooth

4. Take a break from the draft for a while (from an hour to a couple of days) before beginning a second draft.

5. Enlist the help of a friend to provide you with another pair of eyes to pick up any errors you may have missed.  A professional editor can help you with the final polish, addressing issues such as proofreading, content editing, development editing, or technical editing.  For further information on these terms, please see Services

Below are drafts and possible revision (depending on your purpose and the needs of your reader):

Draft Possible revision
I am writing this note because I want to thank you very much for inviting me to discuss my work at the conference that was held last Monday. Thanks you very much for inviting me to last Monday’s conference. (Clutter removed)
The manual is the first step. Writing (reading, editing, reviewing, implementing) the manual is the first step. (Information added for clarity)
Send me the sales report first thing on Wednesday morning. Please send me the sales report first thing on Wednesday morning. (Tone improved)
Attached herein for your reference is a duplicated version of the aforementioned statement. I have enclosed a copy of the statement. (Clutter and archaic terms removed)
I have requested that your Internet service be restored by Friday. You will receive your Internet service by Friday. (Focus re-directed from sender to receiver)
The tall woman sprinted rapidly and deliberately down the busy street. The woman sprinted down the street. (Clutter – in this case modifiers – removed)
Spending too much money on clothes and shoes, her salary was never enough. Because she spent too much money on clothes and shoes, her salary was never enough. (Dangling modifier corrected)
The basketball team only won five games. The basketball team won only five games. (Misplaced modifier corrected)



Quiz

Try your hand at editing the following sentences (if you think they need editing):

  1. We don’t refund if the returned item is soiled.
  2. I take this opportunity to express my thanks for the account you opened at our store.
  3. Please find enclosed herewith a copy of the report that is 15 pages in length.
  4. When completing a quiz, concentration is important.
  5. Having worked for the company for twenty years, it was surprising to see the size of my pension.
  6. It is undoubtedly true that, because of the uncertainties of the current acute crisis, the company definitely has to plan ahead for fallouts in the economy if it is to survive.

Suggestion responses to quiz

  1. We will refund if the returned item is clean. (Tone improved)
  2. Thank you for opening your account at our store. (Focus re-directed from sender to receiver)
  3. The 15-page report is enclosed. (Clutter and archaic terms removed)
  4. We need to concentrate when we are completing a quiz. (Dangling modifier corrected)
  5. Having worked for the company for twenty years, I was surprised to see the size of my pension.  (Dangling modifier corrected)
  6. The company has to plan for survival in this economic crisis. (Clutter removed)

Happy writing,

EyeEdit Team

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