What are some good tips for editing and revising your writing?

Answer 1

Every writer has different strengths and weaknesses. They usually have a specific list of things they look for when they are editing.

Editing requires a totally different mindset than writing.

Writing is a creative process whereas editing is a critical process. Few people can do both well at the same time.

Editing is usually easier if you separate it from the creative process of writing.

Don't worry about being perfect the first time. Most writers find that worrying about editing things like spelling, grammar, word choice, and sentence structure while writing a first draft impedes creativity. Just get the words on paper and go back and edit later.

If you have a word processing program, Spell Check and Grammar Check can be a big help. But you can't rely on them totally.

You also want to think about things beyond the mechanics of grammar and punctuation.

Ask yourself questions. Does this make sense? Is what I mean clear? Is the tone right? Can I say that in a better way so the reader gets a better picture? Am I being too wordy or too sparse? Does this sentence or paragraph belong here? Would it be better in another place or left out completely? Would I want to keep reading if I read the opening paragraph for the first time? Do I feel satisfied with the ending?

If you're writing fiction, there are other questions. Does this character seem real? Are his actions believable? Do I care what happens to this character?

A word of caution

Don't get so caught up in trying to make your work perfect that you never finish it. There are people who spend years trying to polish their writing to perfection. Sadly, no one ever sees their writing, because they always think they can make it just a little bit better.

If you spend too much time on one piece of writing, you lose the initial spark that made you want to write it. The words may be perfect, but the soul of the writing is gone.

Write as well as you can, correct your mistakes, and move on. The more you write, the better you get.

Allow a little time before you edit

It helps to allow a little time for the writing to "cool". Give yourself a couple of hours or whatever time you need to detach yourself from the creative process. Go back and try to read as if you've never seen the words before, as if you have no emotional investment. That can be hard to do, but it's a necessary part of writing. No one gets it totally right the first time.

Why you must not edit/revise immediately after writing the first draft?

If you reread your writing as soon as you're finished, you're still in the same mood you were when you put the words on paper. If you felt like the words were flowing, you're still in the glow of creativity. If you reread immediately, you're going to see your words with rose-colored glasses. You'll be resistant to making changes that might be needed.

If you felt like adding each new word was like pulling a tooth, then you're going to be overly critical if you reread immediately. You'll think every sentence is garbage and be tempted to trash the whole thing and give up. At best, you'll waste time making changes that don't need to be made.

Another problem is that your mind remembers what you meant to say. When you reread right away, it fills in a word you may have left out or misspelled. You can see what you meant to write and not even notice your mistakes.

Answer 2

okay so you guys want some revision tipes huh? i revise alot so i kinda know some good ones. Firstly, go to your bedroom or kitchen table without the TV on or any music. Make sure you have the right writting untensils otherwise it wastes your time to keep getting up and getting a pen or whatever. Keep reading over your work, or sometimes it helps to get a adult to test you. Before you go to school or where-ever your having the test, revise on the way or just quickly ready through before class starts. try not ot get distracted easily otherwise you wont get anything done, then when you go to bed you will wish you had revised. its best to get it out the way so you can have some family-fun time together afterwards. The best days to do revision is when you don't have anything to do if you come home from school. Maybe at the weekend if you have enough time. At school everyday to get your friends to test you. Lastly, you want the best grades and a really awesome job so i suggest you follow these tips and do your revision the right way, as it could cause a rubbish job when your older. Thanks

Answer 3

Ask a friend or tutor to read your paper