Wondering about editing? Here are 5 things I always tell my journalism students about editing (plus a bonus tip!).
When I joined The Bangor Daily News in 2014, I had already worked as an editor at several publications in various functions. I’d assigned and edited a whole magazine, knew the ins and outs of social media marketing and content creation and was a pro at editing as I went. That experience — plus everything I learned while leading a large feature’s department — came in handy when I started teaching journalism at the University of Maine in 2017.
Now, years later, I occasionally hear from students who remember some of my mantras that I taught them (there’s no such thing as a first annual is one that I definitely got across). Over the years, I have found a few tips carry across all editing subjects from basic editing to assignment editing to copyediting. These are also things I use in my own freelance writing career as well.
These are a few things I always tell my journalism students about editing. Try using them in your own writing to improve your work.
The First Draft is Never the Final Draft
When you type that final sentence on your first draft, you should congratulate yourself. But don’t mistake that first draft for the final draft. You have more work ahead — and it will make your writing better. A key to good writing is being willing to revise.
When Your Mind Wanders While Reading, Pay Attention
You know when you reread a sentence several times? Or when you are reading something but you’re thinking about your grocery list or your lunch order? Those are signs that whatever you’re reading needs a closer edit (and potentially cutting). Take note when this happens. If it happens to you, chances are that other readers will also be lost there. And they may not keep going.
Everyone Needs an Editor
If I ever get a tattoo, this might just be it. Everyone — from the most experienced editor to the bestselling author to the greenest intern to the student just learning — needs an editor. We can only self-edit so much before we start to glaze over and miss mistakes. That’s why you need someone else with fresh eyes to edit your writing.
Just Because You Find Something Cool Doesn’t Mean It Should Be in the Story
Much like the popular writing advice to “kill your darlings,” you should always be critical about what’s in your news stories, essays and other journalistic writing. Not every fact or cool story belongs in there. In fact, if something feels like a tangent, it probably is — and should be removed. Your writing will be better for it.
Choose Better Verbs and Nouns
We always want to write for the reader, choosing easy to understand words to maximize the readership. But that doesn’t mean. you should stick to the most basic words. Instead, make sure you are choosing words. Don’t call a mansion a large, lavish house when mansion is the best word. Don’t say a child cries loudly when wails conveys the same thing better and so on.
Bonus: Read Out Loud To Find More Errors
I know, I said I was going to share five things, but this sixth one is your bonus. Read your story out loud (quietly if you are in a newsroom or office). You will find more errors and inconsistencies this way since it forces you to slow down and focus on the words.
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