![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
Principles
1. Understand who and why2. Understand the text3. Choose what to say4. Slash everything else5. Edit sentences6. Put into logical order7. Demolish walls of words8. Use links in the right way9. Rest it then test it
|
|
4. Slash everything else The secret of great editing is cutting. Most people have little time to read; keep it short.
Slash by half, slash by half againGenerally there are too many words. Cut to half of what you started with. Then cut by half again. Use short paragraphs and short sentencesShort paragraphs have one idea or topic per paragraph. Short sentences are between 10 and 20 words. If it works at 9 words, go for it. If you need 25 words to pull your argument together and create a connected thought, then don't let the 20 word suggestion put you off. Try deleting the first bitThe introduction that we write to get started on writing is often not the best one for the reader. Try deleting:
|
|
Try printing out the text and cutting it up with scissors. Throw away the bits you know you don't need. Put aside bits you're not sure about. Then work on the rest. The change from screen to paper gives you a fresh view and makes it easier to focus on the best bit. Cutting by half and half again: Krug, S. (2014) "Don't Make Me Think Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web and Mobile Usability" "Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what's left. Krug's Third Law of Usability". Deleting the first paragraph: from John Sankey CMG, PhD: "During my many years as a diplomat, I had to edit many documents. Nearly always, deleting the first paragraph helped a lot".
"Cut! Cut! Cut! And cut again! |
© 2004 - 2022
Editingthatworks.com
by Caroline
Jarrett is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.