Techniques

4. Slash everything else

The secret of great editing is cutting. Most people have little time to read; keep it short.

Check your headlines

If you did 2 Get to know your content then decide whether you need both the headline and the content that follows it.

Use short paragraphs and short sentences

Short paragraphs have one idea or topic per paragraph.

Short sentences are between 10 and 20 words. If you need 25 words to pull your argument together and create a connected thought, then don't let the 20 word suggestion put you off.

Slash by half, slash by half again

Generally there are too many words. Cut to half of what you started with. Then try to cut by half again.

Tip: use scissors

Try printing out the text and cutting it up with scissors. Throw away the bits you know you don't need. Put aside bits you're not sure about. Then work on the rest.

The change from screen to paper gives you a fresh view and makes it easier to focus on the best bit.

Where from?

Cutting by half and half again:

Krug, S. (2014) "Don't Make Me Think Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web and Mobile Usability"

"Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what's left. Krug's Third Law of Usability".

Where to find out more

Ginny Redish's book

"Cut! Cut! Cut! And cut again!
chapter 7: Focusing on conversations and key messages