Revision is your opportunity to make sure your document does what you want it to do. This is the process by which you hone your work so that it communicates clearly what you mean and is easy to read and understand. The best-written documents are revised.
Don’t revise immediately after you finish writing. Most of us need to let a first draft “cool off” before we can objectively evaluate what’s wrong with it.
• Cut. Cut. Cut.
• Look at every sentence and eliminate redundancies.
• Replace vague phrases and words with concrete ones.
• Delete adjectives and adverbs.
• Eliminate passive voice. Passive voice is the use of the verb “to be.” Where appropriate, turn passive sentences into active ones. Active voice is more direct and concise.
