Three developmental editing techniques that will pull readers into your argument
The most pressing concern academic writers approach me with that their book’s argument is not coherent or strong enough. And their worry can be justified: especially in academic writing, readers expect that an argument is carefully crafted throughout an entire book. Maintaining this consistency becomes challenging in book-length manuscripts, which can meld historical background, ethnography, and scholarly research. But with the right feedback, an argument can be resculpted to keenly shape both logical appeal and emotional resonance. Here are some techniques I use to help my clients.
Tighten transitions.
Ever arrived at a person’s house for a party but couldn’t find your way to the kitchen to get a beverage? When I taught argumentative writing, I compared deftly crafting transitions with words like “however” and “while that is true” to the art of good hosting. Both acts require putting oneself into another person’s shoes and understanding their perspective: how the familiar—in this case, my house or book—is unfamiliar to them. Not only is it best practice to give your guest a tour the first time they arrive, but it’s also safe to assume that they won’t remember their way around after being told just once.
This is why transitions are so important: they signal that as a writer, you are taking readers’ perspectives into account, and they also give you the chance to guide readers and remind them of your purpose. There are so many creative ways to craft transitions—from inserting a synonym to a word you used in a previous sentence to keep the reader hooked to contrasting a new idea to a prior one. If it sounds as if I am geeking out on transitions, I am. I also love hosting a good party.
Summarize, with a slant.
When appropriate, a summary can work double duty, providing the reader with information and theory while also giving clues as to your own opinion. Your unique voice and writing style will determine just how loud you may wish to turn up the volume of your bias. I help writers identify where they can make subtle choices in diction that hint at their point of view or where they can weave in explicit statements that remind the reader of their thesis.
Get rid of clutter.
When making an argument, the instinct to pile on evidence is irresistible. And rightly so: A reader amply armed with data and sources is more likely to find the argument compelling, right? Well, this can be true, but in some cases navigating a glut of information can eventually dull the senses of the reader. We all know that less can be more, but how does a writer decide on what to keep and draw attention to?
That’s where the big-picture approach of developmental editing comes in. Akin to a realtor staging your house for a walk-through, I evaluate what’s most striking and appealing as well as what might be reconceived. This might include providing perspective on which sources are most compelling and what to do with the others; in some cases, additional citations can be shortened, placed into a graphic or chart for faster skimming, or simply deleted.
