Automatic Text Analysis
ProWritingAid performs an automated analysis of your text using various statistical indicators and its proprietary algorithms. The analyses are based on established guidelines for good writing, which can be measured. You should use adverbs sparingly, be more careful with transitions and use fewer pronouns, glue words, etc. If you care for good writing, you’ll probably try to stick to these guidelines in some way, or at least subconsciously. ProWritingAid helps to make them easily visible.
The Realtime feature allows you to quickly browse through documents. It will allow you to fix any spelling, grammar or style mistakes.
After you have eliminated these mistakes, you will be able to move on to the individual report for more in-depth adjustments. These let you examine word choices, sentence structures and repeated words. The Summary Report can be used to pinpoint the areas you should concentrate your efforts to make improvements in the shortest time.
How to Use It
ProWritingAid offers a variety of formats. It is possible to make use of the Web Editor to modify your documents. The browser extensions allow you to fix grammar issues quickly on websites such Twitter, WordPress and Gmail. The Word extensions are available for Windows or Mac that allow you directly to edit your Word documents.
Today, we’ll be focusing on the Desktop App that can be used to work with Ulysses documents.
You’ll have to sign up on ProWritingAid.com in order to access the software. There are a variety of ways you can work with Ulysses documents and ProWritingAid. Ulysses writers can either use the free online Web Editor or download the desktop program. If you want to edit over 500 words at a time or to use the desktop application you’ll require an upgrade license.
The desktop app supports 8 file types including Markdown. Export a Ulysses document to a Markdown File. Next, use ProWritingAid to modify the text, and then import it back into your Ulysses Library for further processing. It’s fast and easy, with the only disadvantage that you cannot save your images and sheet attachments like writing goals. After testing the application, I discovered this method to work well for me.
Open ProWritingAid, and create a Markdown File.
Go to Ulysses and select a text paragraph, and use the Copy as Markdown option in the Edit menu.
Paste into ProWritingAid.
Then go through all of the reports, and make edits within ProWritingAid.
When you’re done, select and copy the edited text.
Paste the text back onto your Ulysses sheet replacing the old version of the passage and using the “Paste from Markdown” option from the Edit menu.
The Reports
ProWritingAid reports show your text underlined. Click on the underlined area to get an explanation or recommendation. Click on a suggestion if it is applicable, e.g. It is possible to use a synonym or a simpler word to accomplish the task.
The reports include an explanation of the subject as well as a link to extensive information about the topic. Let me provide an example to help understand what I mean.
Writing Style Check This report helps to improve your writing skills. As an example, the report examines the usage of passive voice in your writing because sentences written in active voice tend to be more engaging to read. Writing Style Check also recommends readability enhancements.
The report highlights words that are so frequently used in everyday life that they have become boring and almost useless, e.g there and have . It is impossible to always avoid them, but ProWritingAid can identify if you have used them to excess.
Verify the length of sentences.
Texts that contain sentences of various lengths are more readable. This report will show the length of your sentences using a bargraph, so you will be able to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, it will highlight lengthy sentences that could make the text difficult to understand.
Pricing
ProWritingAid’s online tools are free. It’s less enjoyable to use, and you don’t have access to all the available reports, but it may be a good first impression. A premium membership will allow you to use the desktop app and various add-ons, and is available from $79 for a year or 399 for a lifetime license. ProWritingAid lets you take your time, and it offers a 14-day refund assurance.
Final Thoughts
ProWritingAid cannot (and isn’t intended to) substitute for an editor who is human. It focuses on specific elements of text and performs an outstanding job. While you will still need to make changes to the text you write, ProWritingAid can speed up the process and make it more efficient.