Editing Tip: Root out repetition and needless words
Most drafts contain meandering, repetitious, and clumsy phrasing. Too often, writers repeat ideas by using just slightly different words for the same thing. Politicians say they will care for “each and every” voter. Business executives tell us that “first and foremost,” we have to cut costs. Advertisements offer a “free gift” for opening a bank […]
Who vs. Whom
“Whom” is fancy and “who” is regular — right? While a lot of people think that’s the case, there’s actually a grammar rule behind when to use “who” vs. “whom.” There’s nuance to this issue, but “who” and “whom” are both pronouns. “Who” is used to refer to the subject of a sentence, and “whom” […]
It’s vs. Its
Overview Let’s discuss the difference between it’s vs. its. This is a common error in reports, and it is usually not picked up by spell check. Lesson It’s is the shortened form of the words: It Is. The golden rule to remember is that it’s always, always means “It IS.” Anytime you use “It’s” in […]
Sentence Weight
I recently read a great article about the weight certain words and their placement have in a sentence. I am a proponent of starting most sentences with a person, place, or thing. When you start a sentence this way, you tend to avoid common errors like misplaced modifiers, sentence fragments (especially this one), and others. […]
Be specific, not vague
Avoid generalities like “suspect was aggressive.” Instead, break it down: What did the suspect say or do? “The suspect raised his voice, took a step toward me, and shouted, ‘You can’t do that!’” Why it matters: Specific language paints a clearer picture for supervisors, prosecutors, and juries. It removes guesswork and builds trust in the report’s […]
