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What do I do when editing your non-fiction content?

1. I will skim through quickly to get a basic grasp of the material, the flow of the write up, and the overall structure.

2. As I look through, I am noting errors and issues which need to be addressed.

3. While reading through, a software is also scanning the material and flagging areas for improvement.

4. I deal with the issues around structure, style and content as the first stage.

Is there a clumsy paragraph?
Is there a verbose sentence that can be more precise?
Are the themes properly arranged?
Could the discussion perhaps be made more explanatory?
Are there expressions which could be better?
Is the flow smooth?

5. Lastly, I will check for basic grammar and punctuation.

Are spellings correct?
Have grammar rules been adhered to?
Are proper punctuations in place?

6. When all has been checked, I will then give it a final review to ensure that your content can be proudly presented to the world.

For that non-fiction content (articles, reports, essays, books, etc.) which simply needs to be excellent, please send me a DM.

COMPACT AND CLEAR: A SHORT AND PERSONAL GUIDE TO WRITING ARTICLES

Articles are a form of writing much shorter than a book and normally longer than the average social media post. But unlike social media posts, articles have a defined structure. There is an Introduction, which sets the tone for the whole content, and a Conclusion which wraps up the discussion. Between these two is the Body—the substance of your message, and this is usually broken down into sections with a headline for each.

This structure aids comprehension for the reader, enabling your exposition, argument, or narrative to get through easily. And it also allows you, the writer, to think clearly about what you intend to say and communicate it as clearly and concisely as possible.

How then can one go about writing an article? What is the best way to compose an article that is both concise and instructive, succinct and engaging, informative and coherent?

As is usual for any creative activity, there is no single method. Below are the steps I follow when I write an article.

DECIDE ON A THEME OR TOPIC THAT INTERESTS YOU

This is where it begins. Unless you are interested in the topic you are writing about, you will lack the motivation to do the research and drafting. Thankfully, I normally choose the topic I write on. But even in cases where an organization requests that I produce an article on a particular theme, I have had to pick up interest in the topic.

Even if a particular topic is assigned to you, develop some interest in it. Do a quick search online to see what it's really about. You may be surprised to find interesting angles or perspectives to that topic that you could explore.

GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

Once you are clear about the topic, begin to gather your thoughts. When I need to write an article, I start jotting down relevant points or particular insights to share. I look for relevant books (and articles!) around the subject or theme. And when I find a quote which would help get my message across better, I note it down. I do much of this point-gathering on Microsoft OneNote. I have the app both on my phone and my laptop so it's easy to pen down ideas whenever they arise.

SKETCH AN OUTLINE – INTRODUCTION, SECTIONS, CONCLUSION

It helps to draft the outline as soon as possible. Sometimes it is the introduction first, then the different body sections. At times, I have identified the various sections before figuring out how to start off the entire article. You may even find that your conclusion is set while the rest of the article is still fuzzy. There are no set rules; decide upon what works best for you. And permit yourself to come up with an entirely different approach for each article. Once you have a beautiful and solid house, no one bothers about the steps the artisans and engineers took in building it.


FILL IN THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS TO GET YOUR FIRST DRAFT

What you have at this point is the basic framework, the carcass, as construction folks call it. You need to fill in the details for each section. This depends entirely on what you are writing about. Here is where all the reading and research come in handy. Fill in the different sections with your thoughts, ideas, and arguments. Dump it all.

Remember that saying: "You write with your heart and edit with your head"? You need it here. Allow yourself to vent, cry, or teach (as the case may be). You'll sort out the coherence of your content later.

The interesting thing is that you don't have to write everything at once. Writing remains a creative process. Sometimes you could write only a few lines and feel exhausted. It's OK to stand up, take a walk, and come back to it later. In fact, you may put it aside and work on the outline of a different article. I sometimes do this. I could pen down some lines for a different article, or perhaps edit some content elsewhere. Then I'll return to the main article and continue where I left off, or perhaps jump to an entirely different section. Remember: there are no rules on how to proceed.

PUT IT ASIDE FOR A WHILE

Finally, you are done. Your thoughts are on paper or on screen. Or so it seems. What you have is a jumbled mass of lines, headings, and quotations struggling to live in harmony. And you know it all needs to be refined and your message ironed out.

Don't touch it—yet. Relax your mind by taking a break from it for a while. You need this mental distance so as to review it as clear-headedly as possible.

The amount of time you need will depend on your deadline for submission, your experience as a writer (and editor), as well as the nature of the writing. In many cases, I leave it for about 24 hours before coming back for the shaping and dressing.


REVIEW AND REFINE

Now, we come to the main thing. Here is where all the previous concrete, slabs, and gravel are shaped into the final product or structure. You'll want to look at not just your language and grammar, but at the very content.

Have you explained that concept clearly enough? Is your argument logical or would some rearranging be needed? Is there a proper flow to your text and are the sections aligning well with the introduction and conclusion? In short, is your content sound.

Check through the language, style, punctuation, grammar, etc. W**d out words which serve no purpose. Trim the sentences and make your work concise.

I often use an app called 'Hemingway Editor'. It is helpful for checking an article for readability and also conciseness. It flags complicated sentences, identifies use of passive voice (which can make you sound dull and stuffy), and tracks poor word choices. I also sometimes run the text through ProWritingAid, which is another editing software. Many writers or content creators use Grammarly and a bunch of others. These tools are vital in catching issues which the human mind may overlook. Once you are done, your article is set.


CONCLUSION

I enjoy writing articles because the form allows me to explore a topic or question without the time commitment required to write a book. And it also allows one to communicate insight or experience without trying to keep the reader's attention for too long.

Doubtless, we still need books. I can't imagine some topics or discussions being properly addressed within the short space of an article. Nevertheless, articles have their unique purpose. Our human world and literary culture would be poorer without them.

As an editor, my favourite type of content to work on are articles and essays. A well written one has a fairly define structure consisting of an Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. And depending on the subject, the body would also be broken down into a number of sections with clear headings.

Articles typically deal with a particular subject or theme or question over a relatively small space of text (from around 500 words to as much as 5,000 words). And they inform or engage the reader around a theme for less than the time required for a book.

A well written article can inspire and educate you within a relatively short span of time. It can fire up your imagination, bring about a major redirection for you, or suck you into a life changing search for answers which will open the doors to other pursuits.

Personally, articles and essays have been very formative for me. Some of my most enjoyable, enriching, and transforming reading have been in essays. From authors as diverse as Tim Keller to Jim Collins, from N.T. Wright to Charles Colson, articles and essays have birthed new insights for me and shaped how I see the world. Within the limit of just a few pages, some profound thoughts are expressed and remarkable insights are shared. And the reader is never the same again.

So the power of writing is never in the length of the material. Of course, some discussions and research will require much more than the space possible in an article. However, I have found articles to possess that ability to combine profundity, clarity, and conciseness in interesting ways. And those are vital attributes in good writing.

Are you in need of an editor?
I'm right here.

Thank you Society for Books and Magazine Editors of Nigeria

Take a second look at that article, report, or email. This is often where the value of an editor lies. An editor or proofreader will help spot missing punctuation, a wordy paragraph, or even an incoherent line. By taking that trained and knowledgeable second look, your editor can save you much pain afterwards.

P.S. Please reach out for editing of your non-fiction articles and content.

Hello everyone,

Here's your non-fiction editor and proofreader reporting for duty.

For your non-fiction articles, essays, reports, books, etc., please feel free to reach out.

WHY YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY MATTERS

Are you working on an academic publication?

You need to pay attention to your bibliography, at least for the following reasons:

1. Your bibliography gives a summary of the current body of knowledge on that topic or subject. This is crucial for further research. When some other researcher wants to expand on that area of knowledge, your bibliography should inform them of the level of research done so far on the area. This provides the necessary foundation for new investigations and further research.

2. The bibliography lists the works you have consulted while researching, whether or not they were referenced or cited in the text (this distinguishes it from a Reference list). It indicates the breadth of your study or research. In other words, did you read widely enough or is your work just a summary of a few thoughts on the topic?

3. By implication, your Bibliography determines the quality of your writing or your publication.

And it is essential to use the right formatting, depending on the style guide in use in your field. This could be Chicago, American Psychological Association (APA), Turabian, etc.

P.S. I make academic and business writings simple and clear.

Over the past three weekends, I have been a participant in a virtual training on 'Writing and Editing for Print and Online Platforms' organized by the Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria, with support by Sterling Bank Plc.

It was a richly educative and interactive programme. Aside from discussions and presentations on Storytelling and Magazine Publishing, there were reviews of style and consistency, writing for the web, and fundamental aspects of business structure.

As societies and economies evolve, the need for clear and proper communication remains unchanging. We must also appreciate better what it takes to structure an organization well and run a team effectively. And the various facets of communication, writing, and editing become even more significant with technological developments.

For instance:

1. How can we utilize social media platforms in sharing our stories and writings with a wider audience?
2. How can technology (think of the numerous tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Hemingway, etc) aid us in producing clear and readable content?
3. In fact, how can AI be an ally in crafting content, designing publications, and even in running an effective business operation?

Much can be said in response. Nevertheless, it is important to think through these different issues and possibilities, and explore how we can leverage them.

For my own country, Nigeria, I believe there are opportunities in the horizon which are about to emerge. And this is the time to start equipping oneself and developing competence at the interface of communication, technology, and management.

We need to start planting before the rains begin.

I offer proofreading and editing services for non-fiction content.

Dear Writer,

Remember: You need an editor.

Dear Writer,

Keep in mind that writing is a conversation. Imagine yourself speaking to your audience on paper or screen. You want the dialogue to flow with as little hindrance as possible.

In view of this,

Be clear - Don't be vague or ambiguous
Be concise - Don't use 10 words when 7 will do
Be concrete - Give specific figures or values

Have a great week ahead!