Letters Editor Betty Talbert writes: An assembly line works because each person is a specialist at the task they do and quality is the expected result. When each specialist does his or her part as a team, everything gets done. In the same way, it is wise to isolate editing tasks when you do your own editing. By doing so you will get better quality results. Here are my suggestions to improve your editing and in the process improve your writing.
- Read through your letter, article or piece of writing once to evaluate the argument and logic of what you are saying and adjust it if necessary.
- Read through once for coherence, which is a little different from logic. Even if the logic of the basic argument stands, ask yourself how the logic works with the overall meaning of the letter or op-ed, including the beginning and end. Do transitions between thoughts make sense? Do they cohere? Help the reader as much as possible to make connections between all your thoughts.
- Recheck all your facts before you send it. Don’t rely on your memory, even if you were there. Sometimes memories fail. Don’t think you know it. Know you know it, and be able to cite a reference.
- Read once through to make sure that your illustrations make sense and are appropriate for the argument. Cut illustrations down to the best one to make the point. Too many illustrations confuse the reader. The point gets lost in the minutia of multiple illustrations or metaphors.
- Read once to pare down excessive adjectives, wandering sentences extra words, phrases and descriptions.
- Read once through for grammar and punctuation that may distract from what you are trying to say.
- If you are quoting someone, recheck the quote. Never, never write a quote from memory without rechecking it. Memories can be deceptive. Even a slight shift of emphasis when quoting can throw your point completely out of context. The worst-case scenario with a misquote is that your credibility is shot.
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