Do you use auto-editing software?
Auto-editing tools can be very useful when you’re writing online. They can also trip you up — sometimes hilariously — as anyone who’s had spell-checker snafus can attest.
But there are some very sophisticated auto-editing tools out there, some free and some with a price tag. So today I’d like to mention just a few of them, for your consideration.
Auto-editing Software: 2 Tools We Love
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the tools that are out there, but it’s an introduction, based on the auto-editing software we’re familiar with.
Hemingway App – this is a tool that scores your writing on its readability (meaning accessibility to readers). It also analyzes your writing and offers you some ideas for improving it. The online version is free and there’s a desktop version available for $9.99. The hints it offers, particularly about things like passive voice, overly complex sentences, etc. are very helpful. It does not check grammar or spelling, however.
Grammarly is a proofreader and grammar checker that we use quite a lot here at The Time Finder. You can find an earlier post about it here. Like many of these other tools, Grammarly offers both paid and free versions. We’ve found the free version to be quite good and use it as a Chrome plug-in. Grammarly is easy to use and points out possible grammar and spelling errors, offering alternative possibilities.
3 More Writing Tools to Consider
ProWritingAid – this is a robust editing tool that also comes in paid and free versions. When you visit the site, click on “Editing Tool” to create a free account. To analyze your text, simply paste it into the box provided. ProWritingAid does a very extensive check of your text and offers lots of suggestions for areas of improvement. Here’s a brief video, showing how you can use ProWritingAid
AutoCrit is an editing tool for fiction writers. It does not offer a free version and appears to offer helpful feedback. Somewhat similar to ProWritingAid, reviewers comment that this is a useful tool for analyzing a manuscript and identifying areas for improvement. AutoCrit delves into matters like dialogue, momentum, pacing, and word choice.
After the Deadline is a grammar checker that seems to be a bit like Grammarly. You can cut-and-paste your text into the tool or use it as an add-on to your web-browser or your WordPress site. Oh, and it is free.
As with any online tools, these auto-editing aids are going to be as useful as you make them. Their suggestions need to be mixed with your own judgment and taste. But that being said, they can often offer ideas and insights you might not have considered, as well as catching mistakes.
Are there other editing tools that you find useful? Let us know – we’d love to hear.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have no material connection to the brands, topics, or products that are mentioned here, and have not received any compensation for writing this content.
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