In school, I remember having to submit multiple versions of the same five-paragraph essay. No one ever explained the point of writing a draft. I just knew that I could make terrible mistakes in the first draft, and no one cared.
As I’ve advanced as a writer, I’ve started to love revising my pieces. First drafts are like the first coat of paint. You miss spots and don’t smooth out the edges. You should never stop after the first coat. You have to go over your work several times to make it presentable.
When you’re editing your article, here are some points to consider.
Edit for your audience
Who is it for? If you write a piece for everyone, you’re writing for no one. That’s why so many articles online have almost no personality. The writers don’t target an audience. Pick someone you would like the piece to reach: a friend, a family member, or a younger version of yourself. What previous knowledge does your audience have, and what do you need to explain? How does your tone change depending on the person you are addressing?
What is the takeaway?
A common mistake in pieces is not staying true to a theme. We all read so much in a day that picking a single theme can often make the piece memorable. It’s not about you. You’re not writing for your entertainment; you’re writing to engage your audience.
Find the surprise
You don’t want to create something that already exists. Make sure your piece has a unique angle—an element of surprise. You can use your personality, find exciting details or offer a new perspective on an old issue. The writing should do something no one has seen before.
Paragraphs are supportive allies
Paragraphs agreeing with the theme may be the only useful skill I picked up from those five-paragraph essays. Make sure that the sections support the thesis. They are the foot soldiers in this ideological battle.
When I write, I usually find that one paragraph in the article that is entirely useless. It’s the agent that goes rogue. You can’t afford that.
Find that paragraph and cut it. You rarely need to go on a tangent unless it supports your voice in the story.
Cut out 10-20%
Most people try to keep too much in a piece. Think of your writing like a suitcase. Do you want your reader to carry that much bulk around? Cut everything that can be lost without changing the message. Don’t repeat yourself and don’t overcomplicate the language.
Smooth out or stick with the edges
One of two things can be the result of your favorite lines. Ideally, they add emotional impact for you and your reader. However, sometimes they’re the friend you can’t end things.
Malcolm Gladwell likes to keep in these moments for himself. He says that most of what he does is for the audience, but he likes to keep himself amused.
An editor I had, Lindsey, said that her favorite lines always get cut from pieces by her editor, which can be sad. I keep a “graveyard” document of great lines I’ve had to cut out of my work.