By: Jessica Perez
In a perfect world, every writer would know exactly what to write, how to write it, and the best way to get their ideas down – the very first time. But that obviously isn’t the case. Even the best writers need help fleshing out their ideas and catching mistakes. So before you publish your next piece, try one of these strategies:
Let your work sit
When teachers tell their students to start working on papers early, it’s not just to encourage responsibility. It’s a time-honored tip to make their writing better. If you’re writing a paper on a deadline, finish a draft early and let it sit for a few days before you go back to edit it. If you try to edit when it’s still fresh in your mind, you’re going to miss things because most of your energy just went into writing. If you’re just writing for fun, trunk a project for a few days or weeks (even months if you think you need it) after you finish the first draft, so you can go back to it with fresh eyes.
Change how the text looks on the page
Looking for a no-hassle, creative way to shake up your writing routine? When you’re editing your work, highlight what you’re working on and change the font size and type. This tricks your brain into thinking it’s seeing something new, even though the words are exactly the same. Plus you get to play with fonts! If possible, I also recommend printing your document out so you have a physical copy to take notes on.
Read your work out loud
If I could only give one tip about writing – not just about editing, but the entire craft of writing – it would be to read your work out loud. Yes, out loud, using your vocal chords and without mumbling. It works like magic. Without even realizing it, you’ll find pesky errors that your eyes just skip over, like repeated or misused words. It’s also a great way to check the flow and tone of your writing. It might seem a little awkward at first, but it gets easier with time. Read aloud to yourself, to your roommate, to your parents, or to your dog!
Find a peer review buddy/group
This is the most obvious and most difficult editing strategy because it requires patience, other people, and a thick skin. Find a writing buddy who you trust in your school or online, or join a local writing group (schools and libraries are great for this). It can be scary to share your works-in-progress with other people, especially in person. But it’s the most effective way to improve your writing. Remember that these people aren’t critiquing your work to hurt you, they’re helping! And if you get edits that you don’t agree with, remember that it’s your writing. You choose which changes you make.
Share your tips for editing below!
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Thank you for this. this is so helpful because for someone who is in a writing slump, it really gave me constructive tips and tricks moving forward. well done!!