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[Word Wise] Self-Editing Made Simple: 2 Areas that Are Easy to Monitor
January 15, 2016

Write Better. Right Away.

Volume 12, Number 1: Issue #109 ... ISSN: 1933-9690

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FEATURE: Self-Editing Made Simple

Two areas you can easily self-monitor

Entire books and courses are taught about self-editing your manuscript, but there are two areas you can self-monitor quite easily. Some writers call these the “Twin Pillars of Editing.”

  • Pillar #1: Copyediting
    Here is where you proofread the mechanics in your piece. Your goal is to make your writing correct, easy to read, and clean. Check for grammar mistakes, spelling errors, typos, missing words, repetition, awkward sentences, passive voice, subject-verb agreement, misplaced modifiers, homonyms, verb tenses, and split infinitives.

  • Pillar #2: Content
    Here is where you address how you present your subject matter. Is your material interesting, original, and written in an engaging way so that readers get something out of it? Are you communicating ideas clearly, with continuity, logically, and with sound reasoning? What about your documentation – have you fact checked, quoted accurately, and cited your sources?

Over time, you will develop your own approach to the Twin Pillars of Editing.

In the meantime, make sure you self-edit these two areas consistently. Then you will be well on your way to being a strong self-editor.

Get more help with self-editing … and check out more editing tips on our Editing Pinterest board.

More Writing Tips for Self-Editing

5 Writing Fixes to Make You Sound Professional Clean Writing Tip: Avoid Repetition Easy Copywriting Tricks Anyone Can Master Top Writing Tip: Keep It Simple

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That’s it for now.

Words matter ... use them wisely!






Kathy with Nonprofit Copywriter
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