Analyzing the stages of writing and editing an article: review
About levels of editing, hygienic text cleaning, and a pinch of magic in the editorial process.
Text editing consists of two layers: organizational and sentence-level.
About editing at the level of meaning
Before you rush to cut out clumsy phrases, look at the text globally. I know how strongly you wish to correct the unsuccessful phrase. But you should be persistent. Sentence-level edits won’t help if there are problems with the meaning.
What could be the problems?
1. The text does not work for the desired purpose.
Example.
We want to sell the vacuum cleaner “Boa constrictor 3000”, and we write about how cool it is to have a vacuum cleaner at home. The reader agrees with us and goes to buy a vacuum cleaner. Just a vacuum cleaner, not our “Boa 3000”.
2. The title does not match the text. When in the title and lead it`s said one thing, but talked about something else.
Example:
Title: How to become a programmer.
The meaning of the text: A programmer is a person who writes programs, does this, and that.
In the title, we promise to tell you how to become a programmer, but in the text, we only tell who it is. The text and title do not match.
3. Started from afar. So that the reader cannot figure out from the first minute what this text is about. It is better to announce immediately what you wanted to say, and then explain.
How to facilitate editing at the level of meaning?
- Write down the purpose of this text on a piece of paper and put it in front of you. Why was it written?
2. Write down the needs of your audience.
What do they want to read here?
Why would they read it?
And what should (according to our plan) do after reading?
If the text can simply be read and closed, if it doesn`t call for anything, doesn`t change anything in the reader`s life, then it is useless.
Ask yourself the question: for what the text is written?
3. Follow the development of an idea— how is it logical? Alternatively, you can put a tag next to each paragraph. The tag should reflect the subject matter of the paragraph.
As a result of tagging all paragraphs, you may find that the text says the same thing in several places. Then sum up the thoughts.
A simple logical structure of the statement:
ask a question that worries the audience
⤵️
discuss the topic (give arguments for and against, or simply answer the question posed)
⤵️
make a conclusion
Are you talking about the same thing in different places in the text? This is a clear sign of problems with the structure.
Don’t know what to write in conclusion? This is the second sign of problems with the structure.
4. Look at the introductory paragraph or lead and then at the conclusion. Is there a connection between them? Are there answers to the questions asked?
About editing at the sentence level
Now let’s go down one level. This work is already reminiscent of the work of a cleaner who clears debris. But everything is not so simple and mechanical. Not without a pinch of magic.
What to do here:
- Read the text aloud. The brain perceives what is said differently than what is read. If you have a voice recorder, you can record yourself and listen to it. Are you stumbling or lacking air to finish the sentence? Rewrite this place.
2. Pay attention to the verb in each sentence if the article seems boring, not dynamic, or exciting enough.
Underline the main verbs in each sentence or skim through them:
➡️ found the passive voice?
➡️ found sentences without a verb?
Think about how to paraphrase to make an active voice.
Example:
Only detailed explanations are published → We publish only detailed explanations
3. Look for words without which the meaning of the sentence does not change.
➡️ found dead weight, empty or repetitive words or phrases?
Example:
it should be emphasized that; basic tenets of; important
0r
they didn’t understand what would happen to their projects next (we understand “next” from the general meaning of the sentence)
➡️ found terms that are not entirely obvious to your audience?
Explain at first mention if you can’t avoid using them. Or rephrase it to make it easier. If the reader doesn't understand from the first seconds what you are talking about, then
they won`t understand → they won`t read further → you wrote the text in vain.
➡️ found repetitions?
Delete or combine these ideas in one paragraph/section.
➡️ found booster adverbs?
Very strong, quite fast, really cool, actively looking for orders.
Just delete.
➡️ Have you found participial and participle phrases that could be abandoned without bloodshed?
Break the sentence into two so that both turn out with verbs: turn the participle into a verb.
If there are links:
Click all links: they should work and lead to the right place. Seems like a small thing, but it’s one of the most popular blunders.
If there are pictures/tables/graphs and other visual content:
- Do not duplicate in the description what is clear from the picture.
- Do not describe everything that is shown on the charts, only general trends.
A pinch of magic
In sentence-level editing, it is important not to “overdry” the text — not to make it too correct and accurate.
To do this, the text must be approached not with a desire for pedantic reprisals, but creatively. Sometimes you need to remove the passive voice, and sometimes you need to add it. All so that the text sounds like speech, is alive, and does not let you fall asleep.
Talk to the reader through the text, and do not convey information. I edit my posts and articles a little deliberately, I do not follow all the precepts of the mythical genius editor. The same with texts where the author`s spirit is felt. I want to keep the emotion there. And, you know, people like to read such texts. So it’s better not to overdo it with editorial efforts either.
