Language analysis

This program attempts to assist you in improving your paper. Language is ambiguous and subjective, a computer can not understand it. All results should be seen as suggestions; think about the highlighted sentences.

Do spell-checking (in your LaTeX editor, e.g. lyx)
Do grammar-checking (in LanguageTool)
Each paragraph should open informatively.
Tricky words, Prepositions & Wordiness
Wordiness & long sentences
Consistent use of tenses
Paragraph consistency
Check the visual appeal

This program may help you catch some classes of common mistakes, but does not replace careful reading and self-editing. Here are some steps:

Context-level

Is the text placed well in context (in relation to wider debate)?
Will readers from different contexts understand? Do they require more support?
Are there enough inter-text links? References, cross-links to sections, figures. Do you need to be more explicit?

Concept-level

what concept involved? How difficult are they? Do they rely on culture?
Have the concepts been presented clearly and in enough detail?
What is the argument? How complicated is it? How obvious is the logic?

Sentence-level

Spot inert sentences. Wordy, awkward connections. Those that do not advance the argument/text.
Delete whereever you can.
How lengthy are the sentences? How complex grammatically are the sentences? read most difficult sentence aloud.
Which sentence is most difficult to understand / easy to misinterpret?
Unclear grammar?
Add repetition only where useful
Consider different modes of presenting
How would one of my reader see this text?
Put best, shining ideas in the spotlight

Word/Phrasing

Tip: Try reading the text to yourself out loud! (alternatively, try a text-to-speech program)

word/phrase unfamiliar?
word/phrase ambiguous/confusing?
word/phrase synonyms, different meanings? distinct?

Repeat from above.

Slow reading, secretary-level work

Before doing this, it is best to take a break from your text for a day or two
Adopt the attitude: "There are bound to be some errors here and it is my job to find them now."
Reformat your text to double-spaced lines and read aloud.
Check completeness (internal references)
Check consistency (nomenclature, policies)
Check accuracy (of quotations, values, statistics, references).

Presentation

Adhere to style of publisher
Check figures