Editing Tools

Macro keyWriters can use a variety of editing tools to improve their writing. Here are a few of my favourite tools:

Editing Macros

Macros have changed the way I revise my writing. Below is a list of my favourite editing macros, designed to work with Microsoft Word. If you’re not sure how to use macros, this free 20-minute macro course will have you up and running in no time!

  • Confusables — words that are often used incorrectly
  • lyWords — adverbs, which will likely need to be deleted
  • NeedlessWords — words that clutter your writing
  • PassiveWords — words that can obscure meaning; change passive words to active words
  • PlainLanguage — high falutin’ words that you can replace with simpler words
  • TellingWords — words that suggest instances of telling, where showing might work better

Editor Paul Beverley has created a 600-page book of free macros. You’ll need to download his book to get these helpful macro scripts:

  • FRedit — a free find-and-replace macro created by Paul Beverley — an absolute fave!
  • CountThisWord—tells you how many times you’ve used a word to determine if you’ve overused it
  • HighlightSame—highlights all instances of a word you’ve selected; use it with CountThisWord
  • LongSentenceHighlighter—highlights long sentences so you can shorten them

Image by Matt Scott

6 thoughts on “Editing Tools”

    1. Javier, I don’t know of any self-editing tools in Spanish, but writers of English shouldn’t have all the fun, should they? 😉

  1. Do you know of any self-editing macros for Mac? I’m looking for one for needless words/words to eliminate.

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