The Best Handful of Tips 80 –
Edit Your Drafts
If you want your writing to be read you must use crisp, clear, and concise language.
The five best tips when revising your drafts
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Remove all unnecessary words and phrases
Use plain language, short sentences, and short paragraphs. Choose words that are simple, precise, and familiar to your audience.
Check spelling and punctuation. Your spell checker is a useful tool but don’t rely on it.
Avoid jargon and clichés. Each country has its own version of the English language. Take care if you are to be read by people in other countries, that your message is clear so that it is less likely to be translated incorrectly.
Write to express NOT to impress.
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Make your pages visually interesting
Set out your messages so they are easy to read.
Leave plenty of white space on your pages.
Use headings and sub-headings.
Use direct speech, and active words.
List points with bullets, numbers, dots etc.
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Make your messages memorable
There are many tricks to make your pages look lively and interesting.
Write with enthusiasm and sincerity.
Aim to give your readers new information
Recommendations should be clear and positive. It must be easy to read.
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Ensure your writing is inclusive
If you want to influence your audience ensure your writing is not excluding, this will ensure you capture a broad audience.
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Be prepared to rewrite important messages several times
Edit, edit, edit. Check for logic, continuity, long sentences, long paragraphs, and incorrect grammar.
Be brief, be positive, be helpful.
-Geoffrey Moss
“The shorter your words and sentences, the easier they are to read, heed and translate.”
Source: “Persuasive Ways” first published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and in Chinese by Shanghai People’s Publishing House and as “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.
Another Handful of Tips 