Editorial Process

Once you’ve completed your draft, you’ll want to revise your piece and solicit feedback in order to get it ready for publication.

Revision Checklist

Here’s a checklist of questions to run through as you edit your writing.

• Is my point clear? Do I state my argument clearly in the introduction, and does it remain consistent and clear throughout my piece? Are all of my examples and evidence in support of this point?

• Is my piece cohesive? Are my ideas presented in a clear and logical manner? Do my paragraphs and sentences flow smoothly?

• Are my examples compelling? Did I provide sufficient, persuasive examples, evidence, and data to support my claims?

• Did I cite my sources? Did I fact-check all evidence and use citations? While formal citations aren’t necessary, fact sources should be mentioned within the body of the sentence. (Example: According to recent data from Oxford, eating plant-based reduces your greenhouse gas emissions by 75%.)

• Is my writing engaging? Does my opening grab the reader’s attention? Does my closing paragraph leave a lasting impression or effectively call readers to action?

• Is my language simple and straightforward? Will the average reader understand my wording and the points I’m trying to make? Did I use any jargon that may be unfamiliar?

• Did I proofread my piece? Did I thoroughly check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors? Are my verb tenses consistent throughout my piece?

• Is it the right length? Did I follow the general word count requirements for publishing an opinion piece? If it’s too long, can I condense the content without losing impact?

Once you have revised your piece, you can share it with PAF’s Communications Lead, Phoenix Huber, for feedback and constructive input before submitting it for publication.