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 Press Lead, Olivia Hammond, for feedback and to coordinate submission.