Four Tips to Self-Edit Your Writing
Listen, I’ve been there. You’re on a tight deadline and don’t have time to run your [insert collateral here] through the official copyediting channels. Or, you’re on a lean team and expected to edit them yourself.
Editing your work can be tough for a few reasons: your brain might not register mistakes, you’re rushing, or you just aren’t sure if that comma belongs there, to name a few.
Here are four tips if you find yourself in a situation where you need to rely on your copyediting skills:
#1: Walk Away
Sometimes, when writing, I just want to finish a piece and get it out the door—but I’ve learned the hard way that taking a step back is important. I’d recommend taking at least 15 minutes from whatever you’re working on. If you can take more, great. Grab some coffee, take a walk, or call a friend. Come back to your material with fresh eyes and edit away.
#2: Slow Down
I tend to skim something I’ve written when re-reading because it’s familiar; however, my brain sometimes jumps over obvious mistakes. A better approach is reading slowly, such as aloud or focusing on each word or sentence. If you have time for a third pass from there, rev your reading speed back up to your normal pace to catch any last mistakes.
#3: Check for Glaring Errors
Skim your piece for the following errors (they’ll stick out like sore thumbs to readers):
Homophones: Words that are spelled the same, such as “their” and “there,” and won’t be caught by spell check
Capitalization: Pay special attention to proper nouns versus regular nouns; if you’re unsure, Merriam-Webster online is a very helpful resource
Punctuation and formatting: Missing punctuation marks, rogue commas, extra spaces between sentences, etc
Bonus tip: Make a checklist of grammar principles you often mess up and run through it for every piece you write (stay tuned for a future post on creating an editorial checklist!).
#4: Don’t Rely on Tools
Definitely run a spell check; heck, even put your copy through Grammarly. Use your best judgment: a spellchecker won’t catch homophones or name misspellings, and sometimes Grammarly suggestions are nonsensical.
What about AI-generated content? It can be factually inaccurate (I’ve also noticed it tends to use split infinitives). Ultimately, fact-checking is part of the editing process, so you’re responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any published material (also, check your organization’s official stance on using AI for content generation before you rely on these tools).
These tips will help you in a pinch, though I highly recommend working with a freelance copyeditor. A dedicated copyeditor will provide additional peace of mind that you are publishing the best version of your content and the flexibility to ensure you get what you need when you need it. I work with clients across industries in many ways, from hourly rates to retainers. I’d love to work with you and take the editing stress off your plate! Please reach out to learn more.