First drafts are messy because writing is thinking in real-time.

But by applying the Socratic method—questioning assumptions, challenging claims, and considering alternative perspectives—you can transform a weak draft into a strong, well-reasoned piece.

Next time you self-edit, channel your inner Socrates and ask: Is this really true? How do I know?

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Circular reasoning is a logical fallacy in which an argument attempts to prove its conclusion by using the conclusion itself as evidence. It essentially states, "This is true because it's true," without providing any real supporting evidence, effectively going in a circle without reaching a valid conclusion.

If you find a sentence that feels

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Binary thinking makes for compelling soundbites but weak arguments. They lack nuance. When you see an “either/or” statement, ask:

• Are these really the only two options?

• Is there a middle ground? (Reader, this is the one question I am asking in all areas of my life right now. The answer for everything lives in the middle of two extremes.)

Instead

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When you’re self-editing, anytime you make a claim, ask:

• How do I know this?

• What sources or data support this?

• Would an informed reader agree with this, or would they demand proof?

If you write, “Reading fiction improves empathy,” you might pause and ask, “ What studies back this up? ” (Turns out, there are some. A 2013 study in Science found

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A generalization is taking one or a few facts and making a broader, more universal statement. For example, if all the girls you know play with dolls, you might make the generalization that all girls play with dolls. When you find a sweeping statement in your draft, challenge it and ask:

• Is this always true?

• Can I think of counterexamples?

• What

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Here’s how The Socratic Method works:

• Understand the belief: See if your writing clearly states its thesis.

• Reflect : Summarize the thesis and clarify your understanding in simple language.

• Gather evidence : See if you’ve provided solid evidence for the thesis with data, analysis, and facts.

• Challenge assumptions : Question the thesis’s

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First drafts tend to be a bit chaotic because writing is, at its core, a process of discovery. When you first put those initial words on the page, you’re essentially thinking out loud—trying to make sense of a topic, find connections, and articulate ideas that may not yet be fully formed.

I call this building a “dump doc.”​ This exploratory phase is

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