How and why editing can make or break your presentation
Delivering information is your objective, of course, so keeping your audience alert and receptive to your message is essential. Take these steps to keep it compact and potent.
One could argue that the editing process is more vital to good writing than the act of writing itself.
Your first draft is a hectic mess of cake batter: a mix of ingredients covering your hands, clothes and kitchen. Editing is when the batter becomes a delicious cake.
When it comes to editing presentation content, say what has to be said in as few words as possible. No jargon or fluff—just the facts.
You rarely, if ever, reach your writing goals in the first draft. When you approach editing as a creative process, it can shape your content in unexpected (and improved) ways.
Hannah Rubin said: “In the same way that sketching isn’t drawing and mixing colors isn’t painting, first drafts merely scratch the surface of what it means to really write. Editing is part of writing-they aren’t two separate processes but, rather, one and the same.”
When editing a presentation, work on three core areas:
1. Making it shorter.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
