Editing is time-consuming, a brainache and I frequently swallow my pride when doing it, but it will always improve what could already pass as a finished piece of writing. It takes up around 75% of the time I spend on any poem and is the most important part of the writing process - there’s no doubt about it. In fact, if you don’t get your head around it you will never be a great writer. Here’s my six-point editing checklist:

The Title. This could sum up the poem in a few words, be a word, phrase or line from it, a clever pun or ask a question to make the reader stop and think. Put simply, it must be ATTENTION-GRABBING!

The Words. I try hard to use words my audience will understand (and I don’t necessarily mean simple words) and to convey them in the way that gets my ideas across to them. It’s a writer’s job to paint a picture in the head of their readers by using powerful descriptive language. So adjectives, verbs and adverbs are key along with the ‘tools of the trade’, like personification, alliteration, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia etc. Repeating the same words, unless done for effect, is boring and unimaginative so I’ll use synonyms as a variety of words is much more likely to hold the reader.

The Length. Editing usually shortens and sharpens the poem making it clearer and easier to read and nothing stands in my way when doing this even if I have an hilarious line - if doesn’t fit perfectly I'll cut it out. At this stage I also look at the number, layout and order of the verses to ensure the poem has a balance that helps to bring out the meaning. And it doesn’t matter how long or short a poem is, so long as it does the job and makes its point/s.

The Ending. Like the title, and possibly using the techniques I mention above, the finale must be POWERFUL enough to leave a lasting impression. I might also end a rhyming poem with a non-rhyme or vice versa, make the last line longer or shorter than what the reader would expect or finish with a cliffhanger…

The Sound. I will read the poem aloud to myself once it‘s finished to check that the rhythm is as I intended, the rhymes work with each other (assuming it’s a rhyming poem) and it flows logically so it gets my ideas across and makes complete sense.

The Acid Test. Although I have completed the above stage and improved the poem as a result, there is nothing like the real thing; when I finally perform it to an audience I might find it still needs tweaking to become a perfect piece. And I am always willing to make such changes and put aside any preciousness about what I felt was a finished poem to do this.

And this repetition is for effect: Editing is the most important part of the writing process. There's no doubt about it!

Whether you’re a writer or a teacher please tell me if this is helpful for you and/or if there are any other editing techniques you use to improve your or your students’ poems.