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Using AI as Your First Editor: A Guide for All About Jazz Contributors

The path from first draft to polished submission involves multiple rounds of refinement. While All About Jazz editors provide essential expertise, using AI as your preliminary editor can help identify common issues before submission. This approach respects editorial time while helping you deliver cleaner, more publication-ready content.

Why Use AI as a First-Pass Editor?

• Efficiency: Catches basic issues before human review
• Consistency: Helps align with AAJ style guidelines
• Improvement: Identifies patterns in your writing that may need attention
• Learning: Provides immediate feedback to strengthen future writing

The AI Editing Process

Step 1: Complete Your Draft

Write your piece naturally, focusing on content, insights, and your unique perspective. Don't worry about perfect adherence to style guidelines during initial drafting—just get your thoughts on the page.

Step 2: Basic Self-Editing

Before involving AI:

• Review for factual accuracy
• Check artist names and album titles
• Verify dates and venue information
• Ensure you've included necessary context

Step 3: AI First-Pass Review

Use the prompt template (see below) with your preferred AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) to request an evaluation of your draft based on AAJ's style requirements.

Step 4: Consider Revisions

The AI will identify potential issues like:

• Use of first-person references
• Passive voice constructions
• Clichés and overused phrases
• Overly generic descriptions
• Structural concerns
• Formatting inconsistencies

Use this feedback as a guide—not as definitive instruction. Your voice and insights remain paramount.

Step 5: Polish and Submit

Make appropriate revisions, then submit your improved draft to AAJ's content management system for professional editorial review.

What AI Can and Cannot Do

AI Can Help With

• Identifying passive voice
• Spotting repetitive language
• Flagging potential clichés
• Catching basic grammar and spelling issues
• Checking for adherence to formatting guidelines
• Suggesting more precise vocabulary

AI Cannot Replace...

• Your unique voice and perspective
• Deep musical knowledge and insight
• Contextual understanding of artists and performances
• Nuanced critical evaluation
• Cultural and historical framing
• The expertise of human editors

Prompt Template for AI Editing

Below is a template you can copy, customize, and use with your preferred AI assistant. Simply replace the bracketed sections with your content and specific questions.

I've written an article for All About Jazz and would like you to review it as a preliminary editor before I submit it for human review. Please evaluate it based on AAJ style guidelines and provide specific suggestions for improvement.

Article Type: [Album Review/Concert Review/Interview/etc.]

Approximate Word Count: [insert number]

Draft Article

[Paste your complete draft here]

Please review our draft for the following:

Style Alignment

• Check for adherence to AAJ style (avoid first- person references, use full names or last names for artists, avoid telling readers what they'll experience)
• Identify and suggest fixes for passive voice
• Flag clichés, redundancies, and generic descriptions
• Evaluate the lead sentence for effectiveness

Structure

• Assess paragraph length (4-5 sentences ideal)
• Check for clear organization and flow
• Evaluate balance of context and analysis

Language

• Highlight overused terms or bland verbs (especially forms of "to be")
• Suggest more specific alternatives to generic descriptors
• Flag potential grammar or punctuation issues

Formatting

• Check for proper handling of album titles (italics), song titles (quotes)
• Verify artist name formatting
• Review for appropriate tense usage

Overall Assessment

• Identify strongest elements
• Note areas that could benefit from development
• Suggest 2-3 specific improvements that would most enhance the piece

Please maintain my voice and perspective while offering constructive suggestions based on AAJ's editorial standards.

Best Practices for Working with AI Feedback

• Maintain Authority: You're the expert on jazz and your experience—AI is merely a technical assistant.
• Be Selective: Not every AI suggestion will be appropriate; use your judgment.
• Preserve Your Voice: Don't let AI homogenize your unique writing style or perspective.
• Focus on Patterns: Look for recurring issues the AI identifies that may indicate habits to address.
• Use as a Learning Tool: Over time, you'll internalize style requirements and need less AI assistance.
• Fact-Check: AI may not catch factual errors—those remain your responsibility.
• Remember the Human Touch: Your insights, enthusiasm, and expertise are what make your writing valuable.



Conclusion

AI as a preliminary editor can help you deliver more polished drafts to AAJ's editorial team, streamlining the publication process. However, it's a tool, not a replacement for your expertise or the professional editors who help shape AAJ's respected content. By combining your knowledge with AI's pattern-recognition capabilities and AAJ's editorial excellence, you'll contribute to maintaining the website's position as a trusted voice in jazz journalism.