Learn the art of self-editing to become a self-sufficient writer.

At ABEL, we are proud when a Client says that they no longer need help in a certain area. With our philosophy of Ongoing Learning, we are there to support people in the next stages of their English-communication journey; however, when a Client no longer needs extra support, it is a great feeling to know we have contributed to their developments in English-language communication.

When a Client can explain their thoughts clearly, engage readers effectively, and express themselves in creative and precise ways, we know we have done our job and that their lives will be better.

Being able to self-edit and becoming an effective and self-sufficient writer is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Self-editing empowers you to communicate your thoughts, ideas, and expertise confidently. The skill is used in all aspects of writing, for example product descriptions, research projects, writing menus, emails, letters, and text to be used in promotions and advertisements. Self-editing is also key to preparing great speeches and presentations.

Self-sufficiency in writing creates independence, allowing you to produce high-quality content without relying heavily on external editing or revision services. Mastering self-editing skills opens doors to new opportunities, enhances career prospects, and increases self-expression and self-confidence.

Find out what simple steps ABEL recommends to help you revise, self-edit, and improve the standard of your writing!

What’s the difference between editing and revising?

Editing is looking for mistakes, Revising is looking for ways to improve your writing. You can also think of them as “micro” vs. “macro”.

Editing and revising are two crucial, yet distinct stages, of the writing process. Although they each focus on different aspects of your writing, they both aim to improve your work and make sure it can be easily read and understood by your target audience. 

They can be seen as interchangeable concepts by many students, but revising involves “big-picture changes” (at the macro-level) to the content and the way your writing is organised; whereas editing involves “fine-tuning” the language and its presentation (at micro-levels). 

Together, editing and revising are powerful tools that can produce well-crafted and polished pieces of writing. However, it's helpful to separate these two processes, so writers can focus on each aspect separately and avoid getting overwhelmed by trying to change too much at once.

Here's a quick breakdown of the key differences between editing and revising:

Should I edit or revise first?

The answer everyone dislikes: It depends!

The order varies depending on your personal writing process and individual preferences. Some people find it best to revise before editing, while others prefer the opposite approach. Remember that writing is a process and both processes help you uncover new and exciting areas as you polish your writing. But what are the advantages of editing or revising first?

1. Revise before editing:

- By revising first, you can focus on the overall content, structure, and organisation of your document without being distracted by minor language or grammar issues.

- Tackling big issues first in the revision stage can save you time later on, as you won't waste energy polishing sections that might be changed or removed during the revision process.

- If you receive feedback from others, revising your work based on their suggestions can be a great starting point before you dive into the finer details of the editing process.

2. Edit before revising:

- Some people prefer to start with the editing process because the process of refining their language helps to clarify their thoughts, making the subsequent revision process smoother.

- Editing can help to identify common grammar or punctuation errors that affect the overall quality of your writing. Ensuring that simple errors are fixed before revising allows you to focus on the “bigger picture” revision, i.e. to work at the macro level rather than at the micro level.

- Focusing on grammar and clear language in the editing stage can also give your document a more polished appearance and feel, making it easier for others to provide constructive feedback during the revision process.

Below are some pointers on how to approach self-editing and revising your work. Whether you are writing a one-line advertising slogan or complete business plan, or lab report or dissertation, always spend time checking for mistakes and looking for sections that can be improved.

What do I need to look out for when editing?

Delete any redundant or awkward phrasing 

Reduce any wordiness by using clear and direct language. Ideas need to be conveyed as succinctly as possible. One way of doing this is to use concise alternatives to phrases. For example, the phrase “all over the world” can be replaced with the word “globally” or “worldwide.” Clear and concise writing is more effective in conveying information and ideas.

Grammar and Punctuation

Although basic errors are obvious things to look out for, many are in fact overlooked during the first few drafts! You may be concentrating so hard on the message that other mistakes and omissions are overlooked. However, each revision stage provides an opportunity to enhance the readability and credibility of your writing. Reading the work out loud can help you spot mistakes you might overlook, and some people prefer to print their work out to spot errors they have previously overlooked.

Consistency

Make sure that you have used the same layout, citation style, and table and figure referencing system throughout the text. One important inconsistency that can confuse readers is switching between different terms when referring to the same thing. You might get bored or feel like you have written the same term too many times, so you use different words throughout the text. However, this can cause confusion and the same term or phrase should be used throughout the text. 

For example, your education essay might seem to overuse the word “students”, so you use “learners”, “children”, “tutees”, “pupils”, and “schoolchildren” throughout the text. Unless you tell the reader why the different terms are used, they may get confused or draw incorrect assumptions about your intended meaning. 

Organisation and Structure

As you reread your work, check that the work flows, not just at the paragraph level, but also between the different sections. Are the paragraphs roughly the same length? Or does one section have a series of short paragraphs that make it look incomplete? Don’t be afraid to restructure your content to improve the overall look, feel, and readability of the composition. You can always do this with the ‘Tracked Changes’ option on to see where you made the changes and reject them if necessary. 

Display higher level thinking abilities

Have you taken your writing “to the next level”? Does your work (or any of your paragraphs) only describe the information or ideas you found during the research stage? Simply describing the findings and concepts conceived by others does not show that you have engaged with the content and does not show an ability to critically analyse the information you found. It is crucial to show critical thinking skills to get the higher marks available or publish in high-impact factor journals. 

Try to evaluate the information you describe in your work objectively, identifying weaknesses and areas for improvement. This helps identify gaps in the existing research, which your work can fill and get you top marks, academic recognition, or sell your product/service. It also helps you to know that your work is on the right track — an important part of the writing process!

Some common misconceptions and how to change your mindset to overcome them:

We understand the feeling of when you’ve finally finished a project and you’ve spent so much time developing it, you feel like you can’t face going through it one more time!

However, editing and revising your work are integral components of the writing process. They play crucial roles and should not be underestimated, even when you feel “done” with the whole project!

Polishing the final product by checking the composition, revising any errors or omissions, and making sure each section is 100% relevant, will noticeably elevate it to a more professional level. Producing error-free and polished writing demonstrates a commitment to quality and excellence that the reader will notice.

A polished piece of writing will make an impression quite quickly when read, but the good impression must be maintained all the way through the text. Opinions can change quickly, and may be made consciously or subconsciously. 

However, the attention to the finer details has to extend past the lobby to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable! It’s the same with written work, the whole piece needs to be edited carefully, not just the introduction.

Then you are missing out on really producing the excellent work you are capable of! Why go to all the hard work of researching and writing and not use the final steps that allow you to deliver a polished piece of high-quality writing?

Editing your work is like giving it a makeover; it's a valuable investment that can lead to better grades, a more professional image, clearer communication, and ultimately, it can save you time. It boosts your confidence, fosters personal growth, impresses others, and helps you avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. Think of it as a long-term benefit, shaping not just your work but your overall success. So, even when you're busy, don't skip the editing phase – it's the final touch that can make all the difference in your academic, professional, and personal life.

Factor the time needed to revise your writing into the planning process, then it’s not “extra” time but part of the process. This is especially important if you use someone else to help you check your writing (see below). 

Revising is a crucial step in the writing process that offers significant value in refining the overall structure and flow of a composition. Revising is essential to ensure that your writing is: 

1. CLEAR. You can only spot where your ideas might not be clear or easily understood by another reader. By reorganising at both the sentence and the paragraph levels, making sure there are not any big ‘jumps’ between ideas, you can make sure that the text flows smoothly and logically. 

2. FOCUSSED. Revising allows you to fine-tune your main message, the thrust of your work, your thesis. This is the constant thread that runs throughout the whole piece. By revisiting each section and refining the wording, you can make sure that your writing is focussed on the main argument in every sentence and section. This makes the overall text more persuasive and impactful.

3. LOGICALLY PRESENTED. Only through revising will you spot any gaps in your argument or narrative. If you spot a gap or weakness in your argument, include additional evidence, examples, or explanations to help the reader understand your ideas. This will increase the credibility of your writing, increasing your competence in the reader’s eyes.

4. WELL-ORDERED. We rarely get the right structure on our first draft because we are so focussed on the sentence and paragraph level, that mistakes in the larger picture only be apparent on subsequent revision. Revising your work allows you to restructure paragraphs, content within sections, and the sections themselves. 

Coloured highlights can help you to visually identify when your work needs restructuring! Try following these steps to improve the structure of your composition:

1. To effectively restructure your work, make a copy of your document and highlight the main themes within your work in different colours. 

2. Compare the organisation of the colours to your outline/plan you made before you started writing. To ensure that your writing flows, most of the colours should be grouped together.

3. Cut the coloured highlights (Ctrl+X) and paste (Ctrl+V) the same colours together. You can make new paragraphs and sections as needed, following or modifying your initial plan. You will always have the original document to refer to if you get a bit lost!

4. Add or revise the transitions between the sentences to make sure the text flows at the paragraph level.

5. Enjoy submitting your carefully revised piece and the resulting higher marks!

Revising your writing is a valuable process where you refine the overall structure and flow of your composition, resulting in a more coherent, impactful, and engaging piece of writing. It plays a vital role in turning a rough draft into a well-crafted and effective final product.

The more you practise this practice, the easier it becomes and you will see an improvement in all areas of your writing, from projects to informal messages and formal emails!!

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