Edit Like You Mean It:
Practical Copyediting Tips for Writers

By GCWA Editor Jackie Washington

 

Why Copyediting Matters – After You’ve Finished Writing

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You’ve written the final chapter, wrapped up your article or typed ‘The End’ on your manuscript. Congratulations! But before you hit send to a beta reader, competition or editor, there’s one more step: copyediting.

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Copyediting is about fine-tuning the words on the page. It comes after you’ve completed the writing and structural shaping – once the plot, ideas, pacing or narrative flow are where you want them. While a professional editor can do this nitty-gritty work for you, taking time to self-copyedit first will make your message clearer, your voice more consistent – and save time (and money) in the next stage.

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What Is Copyediting – And Why Should Writers Do It Themselves First

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Copyediting focuses on:

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• Grammar

• Punctuation

• Sentence flow

• Word choice

• Clarity

• Consistency

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It doesn’t change your voice or vision – it strengthens it. By self-editing before handing your work over, you’re not just polishing your draft – you’re making sure your reader (or editor) can engage with the story you meant to tell, not the one that got muddled in typos, extra words or confusing phrasing.

 

7 Self-Copyediting Tips to Sharpen Your Work

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1. Check Your Punctuation

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Punctuation helps your reader understand your rhythm and intent.

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• Commas – Watch for missing or misplaced commas.
   Example: ‘Let’s eat Grandma’ vs ‘Let’s eat, Grandma.’

• Comma splices – Don’t join full sentences with just a comma.
   Instead: use a conjunction, semicolon or full stop.

• Oxford comma – Optional in Australian English, but helpful for clarity in complex lists.

     *Read aloud. If you pause or stumble, punctuation may need adjusting.

 

2. Use Hyphens and Dashes Correctly

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Using hyphens and dashes properly can significantly enhance the clarity and readability of your writing.

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• Hyphens join compound words – part-time job, long-term goal

• En dashes (spaced) add extra information or an aside
   The finalists – all debut authors – were thrilled.

    *If you can remove the words between the dashes and the sentence still makes sense, you’re on the right track.

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3. Trim the Clutter

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Cut unnecessary words that don’t serve the sentence.

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• Filler words – really, very, just, quite, actually

• Redundancies – nodded his head, free gift, hurry quickly

• Repetitions – Be selective about echoing words or ideas.

    *Use the ‘Find’ function to highlight filler words across your draft – then reduce or rework.

 

4. Stay Consistent

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Keep style and formatting clean across your draft.

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• Spelling (Australian English? Stick with it.)

• Tense (Don’t flip between past and present.)

• Point of view (First person or third? Keep it constant.)

• Number formatting (2 or two – pick a style and apply it evenly.)

    *Create a simple style guide if you’re working on a longer project or follow a particular style manual.

 

5. Polish Dialogue

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Make sure your characters sound like themselves – and the punctuation helps rather than hinders.

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• Use single quotation marks in Australian English

• Keep dialogue tags simple – she said, he asked

• Avoid using ‘actions’ as verbs of speech (‘she smiled’ isn’t a way to speak)

    *Read dialogue aloud. If it sounds clunky or overly formal, it might need simplifying.

 

6. Look for Clarity Over Cleverness

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Your reader should understand what you’re trying to say – without needing to reread.

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• Break long sentences into two if they’re hard to follow

• Replace vague words (stuff, things, nice) with specifics

• Tighten phrases that wander off track

    *Ask a writing buddy to read a tricky section and tell you what they think it means. If it’s not what you intended, edit again.

 

7. Respect Your Reader’s Time

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The best writing says exactly what it needs to – no more, no less. Your goal isn’t just to write beautifully, but to communicate effectively.

    *Clarity builds trust. If your reader feels confident following your words, they’ll keep reading.

 

The Payoff: Clearer Writing, Less Rework

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Taking the time to self-copyedit before passing your work on will:

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• Help your editor focus on deeper improvements

• Reduce back-and-forth changes

• Make your story or message stronger on first impression

• Show care and professionalism

 

Copyediting is a quiet craft – but one that has a big impact. You don’t need to be perfect, but the clearer your writing, the more powerfully it will land.