Why edit?

Examples of the difference that good editing can make

The CIEP is compiling a collection of positive examples of editing – ones that demonstrate what a difference good editing can make to a text in terms of clarity and readability.

These examples go a step further than the usual exposing of gobbledegook, poor English and greengrocers' apostrophes. Instead, we aim to highlight the value of what we do by giving 'before' and 'after' examples and including an explanation of each problem and its solution.

Why edit? examples

Editing for length, structure and style

Editing to meet a word count
Editing for sense
Editing for logical flow
Editing for familiarity

Editing for grammar and syntax

Editing even commas with care
Editing spoken into written language

Editing multilingual authors and text in translation

Editing for clarity and flow
Editing for impact and idiomatic English
Editing lightly for idiomatic style

Editing for plain English

Completely rewriting
Transforming legalese
Making clearer
Longer but easier to understand
Weeding out the verbiage