Automatic Text Analysis
ProWritingAid analyses your text with a variety of metrics and its own algorithm. These analyses are built on the established guidelines for writing which can be evaluated. Use adverbs sparingly, less transitions, fewer pronouns, glue words, etc. These guidelines can help you write better writing when you are interested in the writing. ProWritingAid makes these rules systematically visible.
Realtime will let you quickly edit any errors in grammar, spelling or style.
After these errors are corrected, you can proceed to separate reports for more detailed editing. These will allow you to examine your word choices and sentence patterns as well as repeat words. You can run the Summary Report to determine the areas you should focus on to make the most improvement in the most time:
How to Utilize It
ProWritingAid is available for download in many formats. You can utilize the Web Editor to edit documents within your browser, their browser extensions allow you to make quick grammar fixes on sites like Twitter, WordPress, Gmail and Facebook as well as their Word extensions for Windows and Mac allow you to modify your Word documents directly.
Today, however, we’ll focus on their Desktop App that is perfect for working with your Ulysses documents.
ProWritingAid.com Registration is necessary for access to the tool. You have several options for working using Ulysses documents. Ulysses writers may choose to use the online Web Editor or download the desktop program. You will require a premium licence to edit over 500 words at a time or download our desktop application.
The desktop program is able to read and write 8 types of files, with Markdown being one of them. You can therefore export the Ulysses text as Markdown File, conduct the editing process using ProWritingAid, and import back to your Ulysses‘ library to further process. It’s fast and easy but it has one disadvantage that you cannot save the sheet and images such as writing goals. After a few hours of playing around with the app I found the following procedure to be suitable for my workflow
Open ProWritingAid.
Go to Ulysses and choose a text section, and use the Copy as Markdown option from the Edit menu.
Paste into ProWritingAid.
Now go through each report and then edit it in ProWritingAid.
Once you are done, you can select the edited text and copy it.
Copy the text back onto your Ulysses sheet, and replace it with the current version.
The Reports
ProWritingAid reports show your text highlighted. Move your cursor to the underlined text, and you’ll be able to read an explanation or recommendation. Click on the suggestion, e.g. To use it, click on an idea (e.g.
The reports provide a brief explanation and a link to detailed information on the subject. There are a few examples to provide you with an understanding of the length and depth of my explanation.
Writing Style Audit This report can help you improve your writing style. For instance it examines the use of passive voice within your text, as sentences that are written in active voice are more engaging to read. Writing Style Check also suggests improvements to readability.
Overused Words This report looks at words that are so ubiquitous in daily life that they’re nearly meaningless. These aren’t words you can avoid, but ProWritingAid will tell you if you have overused them.
Verify the length of sentence
Texts that have sentences that differ in length can be more engaging to read. The report will show the length of your sentences are on the form of a bar graph. This allows you to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, it will highlight lengthy sentences that could make the text more difficult to comprehend.
Pricing
ProWritingAid is accessible online for no cost. It’s not as user-friendly and you won’t be able to view all reports. However, it could give a great impression on your first time using it. Premium memberships are available for as low as $79 for a calendar year, and $399 per life license. ProWritingAid lets you be patient, and it offers a 14-day refund assurance.
Final Thoughts
ProWritingAid is not a substitute for editing by a human. The tool can highlight certain specific aspects of a text and does an extensive job. Although you’ll still have to edit the text your self, ProWritingAid will make this quicker and easier.