Automatic Text Analysis
ProWritingAid will automatically examine your text using a variety of statistics and proprietary algorithms. These analyses are built on the established rules of good writing which can be evaluated. to avoid using adverbs in excess, make use of more transitions, less glue words and pronouns, and many other. If you’re interested in quality writing, you’ll likely try to stick to these guidelines in some way, or at least in your head. ProWritingAid makes these rules systematically evident.
If you want to work through a document quickly The Realtime feature will help you edit away all spelling, grammar or style problems:
Once these mistakes are fixed Once these errors are fixed, you can move on to separate reports for more detailed editing. These reports allow you to examine your sentences, word choices, repeated words, and other aspects. To determine the areas where you must focus to see the best results in the shortest period of time, you can run the Summary Report.
How to Use it
ProWritingAid comes in many formats. You can make use of their Web Editor to edit documents within your browser. Additionally, the browser extensions allow quick grammar corrections for websites like Twitter as well as Facebook. Word addins for Windows, Mac and Windows let you edit Word documents directly.
However, today we’ll be focusing on the Desktop App, which can be used to work on Ulysses documents.
ProWritingAid.com registration is required to use this tool. There are many ways to use Ulysses documents, and ProWritingAid. Ulysses writers be able to utilize the online editor, or the desktop version. 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 application is capable of reading and writing 8 file types which includes Markdown. You can therefore export a Ulysses text to a Markdown File, conduct the editing with ProWritingAid and then import it back into your Ulysses library for further processing. This is quick and simple, but you don’t have the option to save your images and attachments (e.g. writing goals). After playing with the app, the following was my preferred method of working:
Open ProWritingAid. Create Markdown files. Markdown file.
Visit your Ulysses sheet, choose the text you want to copy, then select the “Copy as Markdown” option in the Edit menu.
Paste into ProWritingAid.
Now go through each report, and edit the report using ProWritingAid.
Once you are satisfied, go ahead and copy the text you have edited.
Copy the text in your Ulysses document and paste it back into it.
The Reports
ProWritingAid reports show your text highlighted. Click on an underlined section to get the explanation or suggestion. If you need an idea, click it. You can make use of a synonym or simpler term to make it work.
The reports come with a brief explanation, and the ProWritingAid’s extensive details. To give an idea, I’ll provide some examples and further details.
Writing Style Review This report was intended to help you improve your writing skills. For instance, the report will find passive voice in your writing that can make it difficult to understand. Writing in active voice are easier to read. Writing Style Check examines sentence start points that are repeated and offers suggestions for improvements to readability.
The report highlights words that are so frequently used in daily life that they have been deemed boring and meaningless, e.g there and have . ProWritingAid might not be able tell if you are using them in excess.
Sentence Length Verify
Texts with sentences of varied lengths are more interesting to read. This report shows the length of your sentences using a bargraph, so you can easily identify areas to improve. Additionally it will highlight especially long sentences, since they tend to make a text less understandable.
Pricing
ProWritingAid provides an online tool that is completely free. Although it’s not as user-friendly and doesn’t offer all the reports that are available, it could help you get a first impression. You can utilize the desktop application as well as other add-ons when you have a premium membership. It’s $79 for a year, or $399 for a lifetime license. ProWritingAid offers a 14-day assurance that you’ll be completely happy with the purchase.
Final Thoughts
ProWritingAid does not replace a human edit. It can help highlight measurable aspects in a text and does an impressive job. It is still necessary edit your text by on your own, however ProWritingAid can improve this process and speed it up.