Can Do Writing™: The Proven Ten-Step System for Fast and Effective Business Writing

Skillset: Editing

	Good prose is like a window pane.
	--George Orwell

Good text, like a window pane, is transparent so the reader can clearly see the content. Therefore, good editing makes the text clear. Bad editing obscures the text and the content. When we write for our jobs, any edit intended to display the author's personal style detracts from the content and is counterproductive.

Edit systematically. You get better results in less time. First, we edit by reviewing the document to ensure the logic. Second, we apply verbal and visual clues to make the logic more obvious to the reader. Then we edit to make the sentences clear, concise, and easy to read.

Compared to analysis and writing, editing is easy. Analysis involves some creative problem solving, and composing involves the hard work of recording points and facts. Editing is more mechanical—a set of logical tests and techniques you apply to your document. You do not need to be a grammar expert to perform these edits. For most of the edits, you need to recognize simple word patterns.

Plan your time and be practical. The editing phase is usually 50 percent of the work. However, some documents deserve a more thorough edit. The use-once-throw-away e-mail does not deserve the same thorough edit as your resume.

You are the best person to edit your document. You did the analysis. Therefore, you know the information your audience needs. If a sentence is unclear, you know best the point or fact you want to communicate. Also, you know best ...