Often, what you write is like your own baby. You just can’t see the faults in it. However, if you want the reader or the editor to see your work the way you see it, you must overcome this barrier and ensure that it is as perfect as you feel it is. So, what does one do if one has to edit his or her own work? The following tips will help you become your own editor:
1. Step away
Reviewing your work right after you finish writing it is not such a great idea. Another not so great idea is reading it over and over again. Step away from your work for a while and do something else, anything at all. When you come back, your mind will be fresh and you will be surprised how many mistakes will jump out at you that you were likely to miss earlier. After every review, be sure to take some time off and then come back to make a fresh start.
2. Look at it objectively
When you are going through your work, the best way is to not treat it as your own work. Look at it objectively, as if you are editing someone else’s work. It is hard to find faults with yourself.
3. Hit on Print
Print your work from start to finish and give it a read. You will be surprised how clearer things become. Often our mind is on auto-correct mode - it automatically fills in the gaps and corrects the wrong sentences. Reading it on paper is like going through a field of hay with a fine-toothed comb.
Don’t start fixing just yet. Mark and note the changes that you would like to make and read through. Go back and make the changes after you have finished reading.
4. What to look for
I know what you are thinking; ‘Okay, I am looking at it objectively but what exactly am I looking for?’ In your second review, you should double, no make that triple check your facts. A checklist like the one below would come in handy at this point:
Is all the information factually correct?
Don’t be afraid to research again if you are unsure of any fact. Nothing is more embarrassing than presenting information that is not factually correct.
Have I included all the facts that I needed to include?
Make a list of all the facts that you want to include. Cross off each fact as you come across it in your article. By the end, you can easily find what you missed.
Does it make sense?
Now that you have included all the facts, it is very important for the facts to make sense. Explain all the difficult terms or better yet simplify the facts to the language that a layman can understand.
5. Concentrate on the basics
Preparing a checklist like the one below will help you not to miss anything:
Is the grammar correct?
Read each and every sentence slowly. Don’t be shy to dig out that old English grammar book if you are unsure of anything.
Have I used the same voice throughout?
People often tend to switch from active to passive voice or from first person to second person unknowingly. It is important to maintain consistency throughout.
Are all my spellings correct?
Go over each and every word slowly. Yes, using spell check for this will save a lot of time but it does not ensure that all the words are spelled correctly. For example, if then is written as the, spell check will not be able to catch it.
Have I used the correct words?
It is time to dig out that dictionary. Look up the meanings of the words that you are unsure of. Sometimes, the big words do not mean what we think they do.
Have I used too long sentences or too many big words?
Not everyone can understand the flowery language. Even a reader with basic reading skills should be able to understand what you are trying to convey. Shorten the long sentences and use simpler words where needed.
Have I left uniform space throughout?
Leave only one space between two words and a line’s space between two paragraphs. I don’t know about you but a cluttered article just about gives me an asthma attack. I need my breathing room when reading something.
6. Second Opinion
When you are not well, you often tend to go to another doctor for a second opinion. So why not do the same for your work? Grab hold of someone who would go through your work and give you an honest opinion. Even the final draft may not be as perfect as you think it is if you are the only reviewer of your work.
7. Final touch
When you think it is perfect, print your article and read it again. Go over this cycle till you feel it’s perfect.
Most of the writers would agree that editing your own work is the most cumbersome of all. After all, the moment you finish, all you want to do is hit send and get paid for it. Overcome the temptation and hit on print instead. Follow the steps above and hit send on a flawless article. When the reviewer says “It’s flawless” the feeling of elation will be out of this world.
Editor's note: Most articles submitted to Chillibreeze go through a selection process. Only 30 percent of submitted articles are accepted for publication on the Chillibreeze.com featured article list. All accepted articles are edited and proofread for glaring errors of punctuation and grammar. Sentence structure is changed in certain cases and sometimes, entire sections are rewritten. If you notice any errors that have slipped through the cracks, do let us know! (Email us at info at chillibreeze dot com).
Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in August, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
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