Editing/Revision Tips

* Make notes on your hard copy (I like to use a red pen and highlighter).

* Read your work out loud.

* Use contractions wherever possible.

* Vary sentence structure and length. Stress important points with short or fragmented sentences.

* Vary paragraph length. Create/leave white space every so often to increase the pace and give the reader a visual break.

* Begin and end scenes and chapters with a hook.

* Repetition �

* Identify and rewrite crutch words or phrases.

* Do not repeat information.

* Avoid qualifiers where possible, use them sparingly if you must - Actually, finally, really, in fact, almost, very.
Example #1. Change very important to critical, crucial or central.
Example #2. Change really angry to outraged or furious.

* Avoid lazy suffixes � ness, ize, ly.

* To be verbs are often over used � am, is, are, was, were, be, being. Use descriptive, powerful, active verbs instead.
Example: The purpose of the report is to provide a means of comparing production values from different times of the year.

Change To: The report compares production values from different times of the year.

* Remove the word �that� wherever possible.

* Write clearly, don�t sound like a politician.
Example: The income derived from oil and gas revenue will be allocated to revitalizing the province�s infrastructure.

Change to: The gas tax will pay for highway repair.

* Make sure you�re using it�s correctly. This word is commonly misused. It�s = it is or it has. Its = ownership.

* Watch for overused words, phrases and clich�s.
Examples:

Drastic action
Back burner
In no uncertain terms
Reliable source
Viable alternative

* Check out the Plain English Campaign website for free lists of clich�s, overused words and phrases and examples of plain English writing: http://www.plainenglish.co.uk

* Numbers � figures or words?
In fiction all numbers are expressed in words.

* Correct usage of abbreviations for titles:
Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England
Abbreviation: HRH., Queen Elizabeth.