Editing That Sparks Joy: Tidying Up Your Copy
Dragonfly Editorial
Powerful writing, precise editing, and professional design for customers worldwide
Spring into better editing with these tips
If you’ve ever binged Tidying Up with Marie Kondo or read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, you know that her philosophy isn’t just about organizing. It’s about clarity and keeping only what matters. The same goes for editing content.
Like a messy closet, cluttered prose can bury your message. What if Marie Kondo brought her tidying magic to editing? Let’s use her method to spark joy ?—and clarity—in your content.
??? Step 1:?See the big picture. According to the Marie Kondo method of tidying, the first step is to gather everything in a category (clothes, books, etc.) and place it in one spot to see it as a whole. This principle also applies to editing, where you look at your copy in its entirety.
Ask yourself: what’s truly essential to your message? Consider the overall structure and how different sections connect so you can reorganize or rework your document.?
?? Step 2: Thank unnecessary words and let them go. Kondo encourages us to thank old belongings before parting with them. Apply that to your content. Do you need that extra “very” or “that”? Appreciate them, then delete. In the wise words of Arianna Grande, “Thank you, next!”
?? Step 3: Keep only what sparks clarity. Every element should serve a purpose. If a sentence feels like it’s meandering, trim it. If a phrase doesn’t add impact, rework it. Keep what strengthens your message and let go of the fluff. Our 7 Steps to Writing for Readability field guide offers more strategies for impactful communication.
?? Step 4: Fold with intention. Like neatly folded clothes in a drawer, organize your content so it flows smoothly. Strong openings, clear transitions, and crisp conclusions make for easy reading. Use the handy graphic below to swap words and make your copy more concise.?
Use the handy graphic below to swap words and to tidy up your copy.???
Samantha Enslen, CP?APMP Fellow
President, Dragonfly Editorial
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Sparking joy through conciseness and clarity--that's what the Joy of Editing can bring to your written products