Self Editing

Summary

Always self-edit. Developing a professional critical eye takes a long time, but you can start to build your skill immediately.

The Method

Begin with the conceptualization process.

Is your title a pledge to the reader? Is it analytic?
Do you have a clear focus and only one?
Does your statement of synthesis capture what? and so what? In only one sentence?
Can you trace a succinct, clear line of reasoning?
If you have a table of contents: Can you read it and understand your argument in its briefest form?

Then look at the sections.

Go into each paragraph and diagram it.

Annotate each paragraph in the margin.
Force yourself to answer this question: Is the first sentence of each a core assertion? Put CA in the margin.
Do the remaining sentences directly support the core assertion?
Force yourself to explain to yourself what each kind of support is. Put E for evidence, SJ for secondary judgments, and CD for contextual data.
If E and CD are facts, look for the source descriptions. Add the unless you have a good reason not to.
If you have S Js, include phrases like "we judge" or "we believe."

After you annotate every paragraph and can explain the function of each sentence, look at the order of sentences within each paragraph.

Have you put them in decreasing order of importance or from highest to lowest level of generality or detail?
Is CD last?
Is your transition language between paragraphs found in the core assertions and not at the end of the paragraphs?

Check each sentence for good writing.

Is it active instead of passive?
Is it succinct?
Is it clear? Have you chosen simple, straightforward, and precise words? Can your reader see what you are saying?
Is your grammar correct?
Do pronouns match antecedents?
Are words spelled correctly?
Do your sentences fit smoothly together?

Read your entire piece to see if it flows smoothly.

Edit again.

Editing a sentence or paragraph often changes the logic of the sentences or paragraphs that come before and after it.
Editing also can introduce choppiness.
You must go back and reread as much of your piece as necessary to ensure that these problems haven't cropped up.

Index

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