: Use a highlighter to mark passive verbs (e.g., "was done by"). Converting these to active voice makes your prose sharper and more direct.
This is where the actual "polishing" happens by removing clutter and strengthening verbs.
Before fixing commas, ensure the "skeleton" of your writing is solid.
: Use software to catch obvious errors. For example, Aussie AI and Falcon Editing offer deep dives into manuscript preparation. 4. Leveraging AI for Polishing
: In fiction, ensure commas and periods are placed inside double quotes (e.g., "Hello," she said.).
: Starting sentences with "There is" or "There were" often hides the true subject of your sentence. 3. Professional Formatting & Mechanics
: Words like "the," "is," "and," and "by" are necessary, but overusing them slows readers down. Aim for "working words" (nouns and verbs) that carry the real meaning.