The One Paragraph Rewrite

There are those who argue the key to great writing is great editing. There’s a lot of truth to this, which is why good rewrite techniques can add significant luster to your finished document.

A technique that’s proven successful for me is one I call the One Paragraph Rewrite. Here’s how it works.

Do your standard rewrite (or rewrites). Once you think you’ve got the final product, start the One Paragraph Rewrite by opening a blank document. Then select and copy your lead paragraph and paste it onto the blank page you just opened.

This isolates your paragraph in a sea of white space. In fact, maximize your document file so it fills the entire screen and blocks out all background distractions. The more white space the better. This allows you to consider your writing from a microcosmic perspective.

Now each word and sentence – placed in isolation – comes into fuller relief. You’re ability to concentrate on the critical components of word choice, word play and sentence construction is strengthened by evaluating them in miniature, much as headlines are given extra time and consideration because of their finite nature.

Given this minimalist environment, do your One Paragraph Rewrite. Then, assuming you made any changes, copy and paste the graph back into the full document. Your lead graph should still be highlighted, so a simple Control-V command will paste the revised paragraph into its proper place.

Next, copy your second paragraph and paste onto the blank page. Graph by graph, work your way through the document.

Of course, paragraphs don’t exist in a vacuum. They must integrate seamlessly into the preceding and ensuing graphs. But it’s simple enough to toggle back and forth between the two files so you can consult adjacent graphs and make sure your changes have no undesirable side effects.

After you’ve worked your way through each and every paragraph, read the document in its entirety. The One Paragraph Rewrite can be choppy, which is why reading the full document beginning to end is essential to making sure it tracks and is without rough patches or inconsistencies.

It’s a simple and powerful method. Try it yourself, especially on important documents that require extra polish.

Then share your experiences with us in the comment field below.

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