Your best tips to punch up an article
March 28, 2019 7:34 AM Subscribe
I've been doing music journalism for ten years now. I think I do a good job, but I know there's room to tighten up my language and generally punch things up in revision. What are some of your best tips to do that? Not looking for basic editing for clarity/form, just some things you look for to sharpen up your revision.
One trick I learned from a former boss was to read a finished piece backwards before sending it out. This was more for proofreading purposes and catching little mistakes you might miss if you skimmed it too fast, but I've found it can also be pretty useful for style edits as well.
posted by helloimjennsco at 9:47 AM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by helloimjennsco at 9:47 AM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
"Omit needless words." - Strunk & White
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 10:04 AM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 10:04 AM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
The most valuable technique I've found is to try removing half the words.
This, in part, is in line with the "omit needless words" suggestion. But I encourage you to think of it as different from that. When I try shortening the paper by half, I find myself having to think seriously about what matters. I find that I gain new perspective on what really deserves emphasis. I become more creative in my thinking about the piece's structure, etc. The point isn't to assume that you're overly verbose; instead, the point is to force yourself into the position of really evaluating what is most important and worthy of attention.
posted by meese at 12:54 PM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
This, in part, is in line with the "omit needless words" suggestion. But I encourage you to think of it as different from that. When I try shortening the paper by half, I find myself having to think seriously about what matters. I find that I gain new perspective on what really deserves emphasis. I become more creative in my thinking about the piece's structure, etc. The point isn't to assume that you're overly verbose; instead, the point is to force yourself into the position of really evaluating what is most important and worthy of attention.
posted by meese at 12:54 PM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: These are some good ideas for looking for places to cut, and I'll try them.
My big question has more to do with *changing* the language I have rather than removing it. For instance, are there systems you have for going over your work and seeing what verbs can be made more active, how to convey the same information in a snazzier way?
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:37 PM on March 28, 2019
My big question has more to do with *changing* the language I have rather than removing it. For instance, are there systems you have for going over your work and seeing what verbs can be made more active, how to convey the same information in a snazzier way?
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:37 PM on March 28, 2019
Best answer: Look through it for turns of phrase that can be made allusive or to pick up a thread of lyrics or other hidden Easter eggs with minimal adjustment. That's what I used to do.
posted by limeonaire at 6:24 PM on March 28, 2019
posted by limeonaire at 6:24 PM on March 28, 2019
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posted by pinochiette at 8:55 AM on March 28, 2019