This Thanksgiving, what would happen if you placed an uncarved turkey on the table and told your guests to start eating?
They wouldn’t know how to eat it. They’d wonder why you missed the most important part. And they might never want to have Thanksgiving at your home again.
When your turkey is finished cooking, be sure to carve it. Lay all the parts out clearly so your guests can easily grasp them.
The turkey-serving process
- You start with a raw turkey and some ideas.
- You decide how you want it to taste. Who are you cooking for, and what do you want them to experience?
- You cook it. You watch it carefully and baste it to ensure it’s not dry; you want it to come out full of flavor and just right.
- It’s finished—you’re ready to carve. You have a knife to help you and maybe some instructions too. You might even ask for help from someone who knows what they’re doing.
- You remove the various parts, piece by piece, discarding those that no one will eat—those that will get in the way. You keep the juicy meat. You organize the parts, and you present them in an appetizing way.
- Your turkey is ready for your guests.
Carving is a necessary part of a successful turkey-consumption experience. You might find it frustrating that there’s a specific way to carve. But if you don’t carve your turkey, your guests will notice—no matter how good it might look. Make it easy for your guests to enjoy your turkey. Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a professional to shape your turkey into a delicious, easy-to-eat feast before presenting it to your hungry guests.
These turkey-serving steps also apply to writing.
The information-serving process
- You start with raw text and some ideas.
- You decide what your tone will be. Who is your intended audience, and what do you want them to learn?
- You write a draft. You add spice and substance.
- You rewrite to ensure it’s just how you want it.
- It’s finished—you’re ready to edit. Your editor focuses on the various parts, piece by piece, discarding those that are unnecessary—those that don’t support your main idea and will get in the way. You keep the essential ideas. You present them in an appealing way.
- Your message is ready for your readers.
Editing is a necessary part of a successful information-consuming experience. You might find it frustrating that your editor wants to focus on every detail. But if your text hasn’t been edited, your readers will notice—no matter how good your ideas are.
Make it easy for your readers to understand what you’ve written. Don’t be afraid to enlist the services of an editor to help carve beautifully presented ideas into your text before presenting it to your hungry readers.
