---
user-invocable: true
name: copy-editing
description: Edit and polish existing copy for clarity and impact
tokens: ~300
cloud-ok: true
---

# Copy Editing
#claudeai

## When to Use
You have copy written and need to make it better - clearer, tighter, more compelling.

## What I Need
- The copy to edit
- Context (what is this for?)
- Any constraints (length, tone, audience)

## The Editing Passes

### Pass 1: Clarity
- Is the main point obvious?
- Would someone unfamiliar understand this?
- Are there any confusing sentences?

### Pass 2: Cut
Delete ruthlessly:
- "That" (usually unnecessary)
- "Very" and "really"
- "In order to" → "to"
- "I think" / "I believe" (just state it)
- "It's worth noting that" (just note it)
- Redundancies ("end result", "completely finished")

### Pass 3: Strengthen
- Passive → Active ("Mistakes were made" → "We made mistakes")
- Weak verbs → Strong verbs ("make a decision" → "decide")
- Abstract → Concrete ("improve performance" → "cut load time by 2s")
- Claims → Proof ("industry-leading" → "used by 10k companies")

### Pass 4: Flow
- Read aloud - do you stumble?
- Vary sentence length
- One idea per paragraph
- Transitions make sense?

## Quick Fixes

| Weak | Strong |
|------|--------|
| "We believe that..." | [Just state it] |
| "It is important to..." | [Say why] |
| "Helps you to..." | "Helps you..." |
| "A number of..." | [Specific number] |
| "In today's world..." | [Delete - obvious] |
| "Leverage" | "Use" |
| "Utilize" | "Use" |
| "Synergy" | [What you actually mean] |

## Output Format

```
## Edited Copy

**Original:** [X words]
**Edited:** [Y words] (Z% reduction)

---

[Edited copy here]

---

**Key changes:**
- [Change 1 and why]
- [Change 2 and why]
- [Change 3 and why]
```

## The One-Line Test
Can you summarize the entire piece in one sentence?
If not, the piece isn't clear enough.

## Attribution
Framework adapted from Corey Haines' copy-editing skill (MIT License)