Revising in passes

Good papers aren't written; they're rewritten. But trying to fix everything at once is overwhelming. Revise in passes, from big to small.

The passes

1. Structure. Does the paper deliver its one message? Is anything missing or in the wrong place? Move and cut whole sections. (Don't polish sentences you might delete.)
2. Paragraphs. Skim test: do the first sentences tell the argument? One point per paragraph?
3. Sentences. Subject and verb close; old to new; cut wordy phrases.
4. Figures and captions. Do they stand alone? Labels, units, error bars?
5. Consistency. Same terms, same abbreviations, same number formats, references complete.
6. Proofreading. Typos, grammar, spacing. Last, because earlier passes change the text.

Tricks that work

• Wait a day between writing and revising. Distance lets you see what's really on the page.
• Read it aloud. Your ear catches what your eye skips.
• Change the format: print it, or view it as a PDF. Errors hide in familiar views.
• Get one outside reader per draft, and ask a specific question ("Where did you get lost?").

Know when to stop

No paper is perfect. Stop when the message is clear, the evidence supports it, and an outside reader can follow it.

RememberRevise from big to small: structure, paragraphs, sentences, figures, consistency, then typos.