10 Editing Tips for Business Writers

Like life itself, writing can sometimes be messy, frustrating, and hard. But you can make your working life a little easier by editing with these principles in mind. It's simple: Whether you're writing a two-line email or a 10-page report, anticipate the needs of your readers and remember the four Cs: Be clear, concise, considerate, and correct.

Adopt the "you attitude."

This means looking at a topic from the point of view of your readers, emphasizing what they want or need to know.

• Example: I have requested that your order be sent out today.
• Revision: You will receive your order by Wednesday.

Focus on the real subject.

Don't bury a keyword by dropping it into a phrase following a weak subject.

• Example: The implementation of the new marketing campaign will begin on June 1.
• Revision: The new marketing campaign will begin on June 1.

Write actively, not passively.

Wherever it's appropriate, put your subject upfront and make it do something. The active voice generally works better than the passive because it's more direct, more concise, and easier to understand. (But not always.)

• Example: Your proposal was reviewed at our meeting on April 1, and it was immediately submitted to the developers.
• Revision: We reviewed your proposal on April 1 and immediately submitted it to the developers.

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11 Quick Tips to Improve Your Writing

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Cut unnecessary words and phrases.

Wordy expressions may distract readers, so cut the clutter.

• Example: I am writing this note because I want to thank you very much for organizing the open house that was held last Thursday.
• Revision: Thank you very much for organizing last Thursday's open house.

Don't leave out keywords.

To be clear as well as concise, we sometimes need to add a word or two.

• Example: The storage shed is the first step.
• Revision: Unlocking the storage shed is the first step.

Don't forget your manners.

Here's where being considerate comes in. If you say "please" and "thank you" when talking with colleagues, include those words in your emails as well.

• Example: Send me the jargon report before you head home.
• Revision: Please send me the jargon report before you head home.

Avoid outdated expressions.

Unless you enjoy sounding stuffy in print, stay away from words and phrases that are never used in conversation—"attached herewith," "this is to advise you," "as per your request."

• Example: Attached herewith for your reference is a duplicated version of the aforementioned deed.
• Revision: I have enclosed a copy of the deed.

Put a cap on the vogue words and buzzwords.

Trendy expressions tend to wear out their welcome fast. Ditto for corporate jargon. Do your best to write like a human.

• Example: At the end of the day the bottom line is that we should facilitate opportunities for employees to provide input on best practices.
• Revision: Let's encourage people to make suggestions.

Unstack your modifiers.

Stacking means piling up modifiers before a noun; the verbal equivalent of a traffic jam. Long noun strings may save a word or two, but they may also puzzle your readers.

• Example: Space telescope wide-field planetary camera instrument definition team ground-based charged-couple-device camera (from New Scientist, cited by Matthew Lindsay Stevens in Subtleties of Scientific Style, 2007)
• Revision: Huh?

Proofread.

Finally, there's correctness: always make sure you check your work, no matter how good you think you've gotten at the other Cs.

• Example:: When you're in a hurry, it's very easy to leave words.
• Revision: When you're in a hurry, it's very easy to leave out words.