“Copy Edits Made Sexy: Channeling Michael B. Jordan’s Charisma in Your Manuscript”

Whether you’re a budding writer or a seasoned pro, we’ve all asked ourselves, “How can I make my writing shine like Michael B. Jordan on the silver screen?” Well, fret not, because I’m about to unravel the magic of copy editing in a way that will make your manuscript shine as brilliantly as Michael B. Jordan’s dazzling smile!

Step 1: The Copy Editing Overview

Think of copy editing as the superhero of the editing world. It swoops in to save your manuscript from grammar villains and spelling monsters. Just like Michael B. Jordan transforms into a sexy superhero on screen, your writing can become a literary superhero with a little polish. Start by correcting the small mistakes.

Example: Transform this sentence: “Michael B. Jordan is a actor.” to “Michael B. Jordan is an actor.”

Step 2: Battle the Passive Voice

Passive voice is the kryptonite of dynamic writing. It weakens your prose faster than a villain’s evil scheme. Activate your sentences, just like Michael B. Jordan takes on action-packed roles!

Example: Instead of “The book was read by Michael B. Jordan,” say “Michael B. Jordan read the book.”

Step 3: Wage War on Wordiness

Long-winded sentences are the supervillains of clarity. They confuse readers faster than a plot twist in a thriller movie. Trim them down, just like a superhero’s haircut.

Example: Change “Michael B. Jordan, the talented actor who has starred in numerous blockbuster movies, is known for his incredible acting skills” to “Michael B. Jordan, a renowned actor, is celebrated for his incredible skills.”

Step 4: Sidekick Commas

Commas are your trusty sidekicks, but don’t overpopulate your sentences with them. Too many can slow down the action, like a traffic jam in a superhero movie. Use them strategically.

Example: Replace “Michael B. Jordan, who is famous for his roles in Black Panther, Creed, and Fruitvale Station, is a versatile actor” with “Michael B. Jordan, famous for his roles in Black Panther, Creed, and Fruitvale Station, is a versatile actor.”

Step 5: Mind Your Homophones

Homophones are the mischievous imps of writing. They sneak into your work and cause confusion. Be vigilant, like a hero guarding their secret identity.

Example: Correct “Their acting is affective” to “Their acting is effective.”

Step 6: Tighten Your Dialogue

Dialogues are the action sequences of your story. Make them sharp and engaging, like Michael B. Jordan’s fight scenes. Remove unnecessary tags and let the words flow.

Example: Change “Michael B. Jordan said, ‘I’m ready for the challenge,’ confidently” to “Michael B. Jordan confidently declared, ‘I’m ready for the challenge.’”

Step 7: The Final Battle

Now, assemble your team of proofreaders or trusty editing software to do a final sweep. This is the Justice League of editing, ensuring every last typo and grammar slip is vanquished.

And there you have it, aspiring authors! Your manuscript is now a blockbuster, just waiting to captivate people like a Michael B. Jordan film. Remember, copy editing is your writing’s superpower. Use it wisely.

Happy editing and may your writing journey be as thrilling as Michael B. Jordan’s next box office hit!

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J.D. Myall
Craft Chat: Resources and Writing Advice from Drexel MFA Alumni.

Author, Writer’s Digest & Huffington Post Contributor, Literary Lunatic, Pop Culture Fan-girl. Lover of all things chocolate or sparkly. jdmyall@gmail.com