When drafting ... you are always the first audience... and only you can know what you are trying to say. Draft your Shitty-First Draft... then do a full Self-Edit. 

How to make the most of reading through your own work:

• Take a Break: Before you start editing, step away from your work for a while. This break will help you return with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective.
• Read Aloud: Reading your work aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies in your writing. Pay attention to the flow and rhythm of your sentences.
• Focus on Structure: Ensure that your writing follows a logical structure. Check that your introduction sets up the topic clearly, each paragraph supports your main points, and your conclusion wraps up the discussion effectively.
• Eliminate Redundancy: Trim unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences. Look for repetitive information or ideas that can be expressed more succinctly.
• Check for Consistency: Review your writing for consistency in style, tone, and formatting. Ensure that terminology, abbreviations, and capitalization are used consistently throughout your piece.
• Clarify Your Message: Make sure your writing is clear and easy to understand. Define any technical terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to your audience, and provide examples or explanations as needed.
• Verify Facts and Sources: Double-check the accuracy of any facts, statistics, or quotes you include in your writing. Verify your sources to ensure credibility and avoid misinformation.
• Edit for Grammar and Punctuation: Pay close attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Use a grammar checker or style guide to assist you in identifying and correcting mistakes.
• Consider Your Audience: Keep your target audience in mind as you edit. Tailor your language, examples, and explanations to suit their level of expertise and interest in the topic.
• Seek Feedback: After you've completed your self-editing process, consider sharing your work with a trusted friend, colleague, or writing group for feedback. Fresh perspectives can help you identify areas for improvement that you might have overlooked.
• Take Your Time: Editing is a crucial part of the writing process, so don't rush through it. Give yourself ample time to review and revise your work thoroughly.
• Final Polishing: Once you're satisfied with your edits, do one final read-through to polish your writing. Pay attention to fine details such as word choice, sentence structure, and overall coherence.

By following these tips, you can effectively self-edit your nonfiction writing to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy before sharing it with your audience... Then you can seek other kinds of editing support. Read the next blog MORE ON EDITING