Becoming a Great Writer, Day 2: How to Revise Your Writing
Today we are going to discuss the importance of revising your writing. I've divided this lesson into three parts:
- Grammar
- Misplaced words
- Getting someone else to read it
1. Grammar
Yes, it is boring and tiring, but it remains a very important part of your writing. Try to make a mental note of words that you often misspell so you get them right in the future. The best way to really get rid of this weakness is by reading a lot of books. Not only do you learn new words and improve your grammar, but you also start reading faster.
Tip: You can always look at Wikipedia's list of common misspellings and words that are frequently misused. For more practice, see 100 spelling errors that make you look careless.
2. Misplaced words
I have to admit that ever since word processors started correcting misspelled words, this problem has decreased dramatically. However, while they fix misspellings, they don't always catch misplaced words or an awkward word order. Never put all your trust in a machine. Always revise your writing yourself!
3. Get someone else to read it
OK, so now you've read it through, revised it and fixed all the grammatical issues you could find. Now what? A good idea is to have someone else read your writing and give you feedback. Why?
Because we generally tend to miss our own mistakes. After all, we are reading the text with a subjective eye, right? Also, don't get too frustrated if the reader gives you some negative feedback. It only benefits you.