Edit for One Main Message
Edit a draft so the main message appears early, visibly, and with one clear reader action.
A complete draft can still fail if nothing is clearly first. Copy editors create hierarchy so the reader does not have to rank every detail alone. Use the one-main-message test before a final polish. Ask: what should the reader remember, who does it apply to, and what action follows? If the answer is not visible near the top, the edit is structural. Headings, short lead sentences, bullets, and summary boxes are not decoration; they are comprehension tools. Main point State the most important action, decision, or consequence before support details. If there is no action, state the conclusion the reader…
Sign up free — one personalized lesson every day, matched to your role and goals.
Already have an account? Sign in