Revise Like a Pro: 15 tricks to kick your worst revising habits to the curb

Do you find yourself drowning in a sea of red ink every time you revise your writing? Do you ever feel like you're swimming against the current, battling to remain afloat? Then you’ve probably been working too hard! That’s not required. What is needed is to start editing smart, not hard. 

With these 15 tricks, you'll learn how to mark up your writing with laser-like focus and get your greatest results yet. So pick that red pen, put on your revision goggles, and let's plunge into the world of smart revising!

Trick 1: Take a break before revising 

Stepping away from your work can give you a fresh perspective when you come back to revise.

Trick 2: Read your work out loud 

This can help you catch errors and awkward phrasing.

Trick 3: Use different colored pens for different types of revisions 

This can help you keep track of what needs to be changed.

Trick 4: Print out your work and read it on paper 

Seeing your work in a different format can help you catch mistakes you might have missed on the computer.

Trick 5: Use a checklist to ensure you cover all necessary revisions

Creating a revision checklist can help you stay on track.

Trick 6: Get a second opinion from a trusted reader 

Having another set of eyes on your work can help you catch mistakes you might have overlooked.

Trick 7: Cut unnecessary words and phrases 

This can help you streamline your writing and make it more concise.

Trick 8: Use strong verbs and active voice 

This can help make your writing more engaging.

Trick 9: Vary sentence structure

Mixing up your sentence structure can make your writing more interesting to read.

Trick 10: Use transitions to create a flow

Transitions can help your writing flow more smoothly from one point to another.

Trick 11: Remove repetitive information

Repetitive information can be boring to read, so it’s important to remove it when you can.

Trick 12: Check for consistency

Make sure that your writing is consistent throughout.

Trick 13: Pay attention to formatting

Proper formatting can make your writing look more polished and professional.

Trick 14: Use online tools to assist with revisions

There are many online tools that can help you catch errors and improve your writing.

Trick 15: Repeat the revision process multiple times

Revising is not a one-and-done process. It’s important to revise your work multiple times to ensure it’s the best it can be.

Take a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. Say goodbye to the days of struggling to stay afloat in a sea of red ink. With these 15 clever proofing tricks up your sleeve, you can glide through the proofing process like a pro, mark your text with laser-like focus, and get your best results yet. With these tricks in your arsenal, you're well on your way to becoming a master proofreader.