Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a grammar lesson.

The quick tips below are more about tightening your copy than “correcting” them. 

And they’re just as relevant for a college paper as they are for sales page copy.

They show you where unnecessary words live and how to build in more oomph.

If you want to improve your copy, these edits need to be in your arsenal.

 

>>>>Add these to your editing list.<<<<

 

How to instantly improve your copy

Remove “it.”

The word “it” is about the least descriptive word you could ever use in your writing.

9.8 times out of 10, you should replace “it” with a more descriptive noun.

Most of the time “it” is a cop-out.

But why should you care?

Consider these two phrases:

• I was able to maneuver around it with some precise backing skills.
• I was able to maneuver around the red car with some precise backing skills.

Your reader can picture “the red car” better than “it.”

They can visualize you backing around that red car.

And better pictures make for better stories and more memorable copy.

Never miss an opportunity to improve the picture in your readers’ minds.

 

How to edit: 

Hit CNTRL + F on your keyboard and do a search for the word “it.”
Replace the word “it” with a more descriptive noun phrase, if appropriate.
Some uses of “it” are certainly appropriate, but if you can replace it, replace it.
Be careful not to use redundant phrases. Don’t keep writing “the red car.” Use alternatives like “the little four-door” or “the Grand Prix.”

 

Rewrite “here are/there are” statements 📓

Any time you see a sentence that starts with “here are” or “there are,” rephrase it.

Here are/there are statements are always vague, passive, and wordy.

Ruthlessly slash them. Then rewrite with more clarity.

Like this:

• Instead of: There are 4 non-surgical ways we often approach carpal tunnel.
• Write: Our physical therapists offer 4 non-surgical ways to approach carpal tunnel.

See the difference? 

That second sentence is much more clear, descriptive, and active.

Be ruthless about “here are/there are” sentence beginnings to improve your copy.

 

How to edit:

Hit CNTRL + F on your keyboard and do a search for “here are” and “there are.”
Rephrase the sentence with an active subject and verb.
After awhile, you’ll internalize this rule and stop yourself from ever starting a sentence with “here are” or “there are.”

 

Scan for passive voice 🕵️‍♀️

Always scan your writing for passive voice.

Every teacher, agency, and copy chief is going to tell you the same thing.

So it’s worth studying active and passive voice to make sure you understand them. Many writers get stuck on this concept.

Essentially, you want to make sure the subject of the sentence does the verb.

• Passive: Pim was hired to update the servers. [the subject here is unclear. Who hired her?]
• Active: The tech company hired Pim to update the servers. [Ah, the tech company did]

In some instances, passive voice is more appropriate than active, so use your discretion.

For one, passive voice can soften the blow of bad news.

For example, if addressing a customer mistake, passive voice sounds less harsh. You’d want to say, “the order was already approved” rather than “you guys already approved the order.”

Plus, if you really are unsure who the subject is, you might have to use passive voice.

Just make active voice the standard, whenever possible.

 

How to edit:

Unfortunately, no keyboard shortcuts can help here. Scanning for active voice takes some practice.
Be on the lookout for something being done TO your subject rather than your subject taking the action.

 

Rewrite clichés

Clichés are unimaginative.

Writers are supposed to be creative.

A good writer knows how to steer clear of clichés or rewrite them in a fresh way.

Oh, did you just catch that?

Steer clear?

A little cliché, yes.

So, let’s fix it.

“A good writer knows how to detour the cliché trap and present ideas in a fresh way.”

That’s better.

 

How to edit:

Reread your copy and scan for idioms or phrases that are overdone.
Then, rewrite these phrases in a new way.

 

 

Scan for Band-Aid words 🩹🩹

Some words, particularly some -ly words, act as Band-Aids for phrases that could be written better.

Many writers use adverbs as Band-Aids when they could substitute a better word.

• Exhibit A: “Inside the cave, the crew adamantly looked for the steeply cut entrance the locals mentioned.”
• This is better: “Inside the cave, the crew searched for the steep entrance the locals mentioned.”

Let’s stop tripping on adverbs.

Usually they just make your writing more difficult for readers. That’s counterproductive.

 

How to edit:

Do a quick search for -ly words. Can you remove the adverb without changing the meaning of the sentence? Can you find a more descriptive verb or adjective that nullifies the adverb? If so, choose a better word.

 

 

Plump anticlimactic phrases 📈

Have you ever noticed when you’re writing, you get to the end of the sentence, and it doesn’t quite exude the energy you wanted it to?

You build an idea, only for it to meet an anticlimactic finish.

It goes something like this:

“We decided to take the scenic route and it didn’t disappoint.”

Well, I’m glad the scenic route didn’t disappoint, but this description sure did.

I want to hear more about this scenic route. What about it didn’t disappoint? What did you see?

Let’s paint a more descriptive picture:

“We decided to take the scenic route and were met with lush greenery flanking a narrow gravel road. The little bit of extra time it took to get home was worth it!”

Ah yes, now I understand why the scenic route was so good.

If something notable, good, interesting, or worth mentioning happened, make sure you describe the incident in such a way. Don’t disappoint your readers by dissipating your story just before climax.

 

How to edit:

Reread your copy and see if any stories or descriptions could use a boost (be careful not to overdo it). Or have a colleague read your copy and see if any part of your message falls flat. Now, don’t just add adjectives and fluff and call it good. Infuse your words with life!

 

Eliminate redundancies 🙅‍♂️

• My everyday routine
• The angled slope
• Our getaway retreat
• Pumped-up energy
• Extra leftovers

^^^Every one of those is redundant.

A routine usually happens every day. So just say “my routine.”

A slope is always angled. So just say “the slope.”

A getaway and a retreat are pretty synonymous. So just say “our retreat.”

Feeling energetic and pumped up are basically the same. So just say “energy.”

Leftovers are extra food. So just say “leftovers.”

 

Redundancies waste words. They’re pointless.

If you see two words next to each other that basically say the same thing. Pick one or the other and get rid of its double.

This keeps your copy tight.

 

How to edit: 

Read through your noun phrases and make sure no 2 consecutive words mean the same thing. If they do, eliminate one or the other.

 

 

Bonus tip: critique some copy every day

One way to improve your copy is to look at other writers’ content and see if you can pinpoint where the writing could be tightened.

The more you practice, the better you’ll get at spotting where copy could use a boost.

The better you get at tightening copy, the better you’ll write.

I recommend perusing blog posts or opinion pieces each day to practice improving your copy. Now, I’m not saying “be a copy snob.” This is not about patronizing anyone. It’s just about practice and enhancing your own writing.

Plus, it’s easier to see other peoples’ copy with an objective eye than it is our own.

After awhile, you learn these concepts like muscle memory and are able to put them into practice much quicker.

And every incremental improvement you make to your writing counts.

 

[Keep getting better! Learn simple ways to Write Faster too!]

 

 

Editing checklist:

• Remove “it.”
• Rewrite “here are/there are” beginnings
• Scan for passive voice
• Rewrite clichés
• Scan for -ly adverb band-aids
• Liven anticlimactic statements
• Slash redundant words

 

I want to hear from you…

What are some other tricks you use to help you tighten your writing? 👇👇👇