How To Edit Your Own Work

It’s a common misconception that once you’ve typed your final word all that’s left to do is print out your work – and the job’s done. However, there's one final and extremely vital step that must not be overlooked - editing.

Editing is especially important if your document is of a professional nature. There’s nothing more embarrassing than spotting a mistake just as you’re handing out your brochure to masses of potential customers!

To get things right the first time around just follow these helpful editing guidelines:

• Print out your document once it’s completed. It’s often a lot harder to spot mistakes on a computer screen then when you have a hard copy right there in front of you.
• Look out for ways to minimise copy so it’s as succinct as possible and pull out any superfluous words like “that”. Promotional material should be simple and easy-to-read so there’s no place for extravagant words.
• Triple check your facts. If you’re claiming to be the only removalist in Sydney who doesn’t charge a fuel levy check that your statement is actually true.
• Read your document out loud. You’ll be surprised how much clearer things become once you’ve heard the way they sound.
• Keep an eye out for consistency throughout. If you’ve chosen to write in third person make sure you don’t switch to another voice later on in the copy. By the same token if you’ve abbreviated a word, check you’ve continued to use this abbreviation.
• Look for repeated words. While sometimes this is unavoidable, for example if your brochure is for a furniture removal business you’re bound to use “furniture removal” more than once, overuse can make copy appear unoriginal and uninspired.
• Ask someone else to have a look over it. As the author it can be harder for you to spot mistakes and it’s amazing what a fresh set of eyes can pick up. If you can’t find anyone to help you out at least take a break (preferably overnight) and come back to the copy once your eyes – and brain – are rested.

Once the raw copy has been designed (either as a brochure or laid out in some other format) you’ll have to run your eye over the document again.

The main things to look out for are “widows” and “orphans” – single words and sentences that disrupt the flow of design.