British English · C1 · Unit 23
Editing and rewriting
Editing and rewriting
By the end you can
- Improve someone else's text
- Explain changes to style and structure
- Understand advice on style
Words and phrases
| British English | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tighten up | make shorter and clearer | You could tighten up the first paragraph. |
| it reads well | it's clear and pleasant to read | Overall, it reads well. |
| flow | move smoothly from one idea to the next | The second paragraph doesn't flow. |
| rephrase | say in different words | Could you rephrase this bit? |
| a bit clunky | awkward, not smooth | This sentence is a bit clunky. |
| get to the point | say the important thing directly | You need to get to the point sooner. |
| redundant | not needed, repeating something | This sentence is redundant. |
| a draft | an early version of a text | Send me a draft by Friday. |
| proofread | check a text for small mistakes | Can you proofread my cover letter? |
| the passive voice | grammar where the action is done to the subject (it was written) | Try to avoid the passive voice here. |
| less is more | simpler is better | In letters, less is more. |
| a typo | a typing mistake | There's a typo in the first line. |
Then talk it through
Helping a friend edit an important letter. In the app you have this conversation out loud or typed, with the unit's goals to tick off and corrections at the end.