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A Content Editor’s Quality Checklist

February 26, 2006 by Liz 11 Comments

Editing for Quality

It’s true that every writer needs an editor. We all know that I sure do. In textbook publishing, we say that every writer really needs two–a content editor and a copyeditor. The first makes sure that the logic and ideas make sense. The second makes sure that the work is readable. Readable doesn’t mean much, if the ideas are all over the place.

Content editing doesn’t need to take bundles of time. You’ve gotten the ideas onto the paper. Print the post out and read it. A pause for a content edit makes sure that your information is accurate, relevant, and accessible. Why not make sure your ideas move in a way that readers can follow them? It can only make you look smarter.

For that purpose, I offer you this basic content editor’s quality checklist.

Content Editor’s Quality Checklist

  • Does the work have a clear focus on one topic?
  • Does the introduction grab interest and offer a clear purpose for reading?
  • Are the facts accurate?
  • Does the work follow a logical plan from beginning to end?
  • Does the body of the work present well-ordered paragraphs of main ideas with relevant, supporting details?
  • Does the conclusion leave readers feeling satisfied, feeling a sense of conclusion now that they have reached the end and know what to do with the information?

Use this checklist for the content edit first. Then move on to copyediting — making sure that the spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct. Do the two tasks separately. Trying to do both at once is like trying to have dinner with two dates at two different restaurants — not a good idea.

Use the content editor’s quality checklist and you’ll be that much more confident that your reader won’t get lost looking for the forest among the trees. Now whether they’ll agree with you . . .

Be irresistible.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles:
Blog Review Checklist
Blog Design Checklist
Checklist for Linking to Quality Blogs
A Blogger’s Personal Narrative Checklist

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Filed Under: Checklists, Content, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, checklist, content_editor, copyeditor, LinkedIn, quality_content, relevant

Comments

  1. Mikhail Weiss says

    May 14, 2008 at 12:23 PM

    The first makes sure the that the logic and ideas make sense.
    ——————————
    Oops. Copy editing mistake above. Extra “the” before “that” needs to go bye-bye. Nice ideas, though. Neat-o.

    Reply
  2. akuhdiah says

    January 25, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    Nice tips for me. I hope I could improve my writing soon

    Reply
  3. KTD says

    October 17, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    Since we are talking about Content Editing. Someone may want to take a look at the first paragraph above, making note of the (**) items below.

    “It’s true that every writer needs an editor. We all know that I sure do. In textbook publishing, we say that every writer really needs two–a content editor and a copyeditor. The first makes sure **the that the** logic and ideas make sense. The second makes sure that the work is readable. Readable doesn’t mean much, if the ideas are all over the place.”

    Reply
    • Liz says

      October 20, 2012 at 2:56 AM

      Thank you, KTD,
      Got that covered. 🙂

      Reply

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