Average Writing/Rewriting Speed?

by wabbit
20 replies
Hi,

I'm trying to figure out what a "normal" speed (words/min) is to rewrite a text manually (no spinning tools)? The text would have to pass Copyscape with flying colors.

So for skilled rewriter, how many minutes should a 5,000 word text take to rewrite?

Best regards,
Andreas
#average #rewrite #rewriting #speed #write #writing #writing or rewriting #writing speed
  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    I've rewritten 1,000 words per hour, about half of my normal writing speed. It means literally nothing though to you and your business, so I'm curious as to why are you asking?
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  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    Originally Posted by wabbit View Post

    So for skilled rewriter, how many minutes should a 5,000 word text take to rewrite?
    How long is a piece of string?

    Who's the most beautiful woman in the world?

    What is the best rock band (dead or alive) on the entire planet?

    Point is, it's incredibly difficult to answer your question. A "skilled" rewriter may be awesome at creating great content, but how long he or she takes to do it is highly variable. Some may take a few hours. Some may take a few days.

    Heck, even the same person will need variable amounts of time to do it, depending on the subject, depending on whether he/she feels creative that day, depending on what you mean by "rewriting," etc.

    Bottom line: Humans are not robots, so it's hard to give you an answer. If you have a specific writer in mind, ask him or her how long it's going to take. S/he is the only one who'll know the answer.

    Becky
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  • Profile picture of the author chiwawa
    Seeing that i write 1000 words per hour, it means 5000 word article will take me about 5 hours. It all depends on the topic though some can take lesser time.
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  • Profile picture of the author wabbit
    Thank you all, I know it's a "what rock band is the best"-type of question (even though that's clearly Thin Lizzy) but needed some average ballpark numbers to figure out what to expect from outsourcers since I'm a rather slow typist myself.

    I really had no idea if 200 or 1,000 words per hour were considered "normal", so again - thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
      Banned
      Originally Posted by wabbit View Post

      I really had no idea if 200 or 1,000 words per hour were considered "normal", so again - thanks.
      Pro tip for when you start outsourcing: a writer who is trying to sell you on speed instead of quality is someone that you'll want to be weary of.
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      • Profile picture of the author dhsemp
        Hi Joe,

        I need 10 articles re-written so that they will pass copyscape. Do you offer this service?

        Thanks much!
        Derek
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  • Profile picture of the author wabbit
    ... hence the quotes around "normal". I also have no intention of plagiarizing anything,
    guess rewriting has different meanings to us. But thanks!

    And I'm sorry, but Daughtry? As in the American Idol-artist? Well that's... "rock"....
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    • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
        Banned
        Going to play Devil's Advocate on #2. First, we don't know what the OP is rewriting, could be their own work. It is also quite possible that they want it rewritten in the same way that you would want PLR rewritten: take the information within because it is useful, add or evaluate it based on your own views, and then write a piece on that.

        We're just guessing until the OP declares what the specific situation is.
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        • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Joseph Robinson View Post

          Pro tip for when you start outsourcing: a writer who is trying to sell you on speed instead of quality is someone that you'll want to be weary of.
          Maybe wary as well . . . or are you just tired tonight Joe. Tut, tut, it's the speed of writing. Heck, it gets to us all at times


          Originally Posted by Joseph Robinson View Post

          Going to play Devil's Advocate . . .
          Manners please, don't drag me into it . . . :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author gpwilson
    It depends on two things. First of all how much knowledge you have on that specific subject and your typing skill.
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  • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
    Originally Posted by wabbit View Post

    Hi,

    I'm trying to figure out what a "normal" speed (words/min) is to rewrite a text manually (no spinning tools)? The text would have to pass Copyscape with flying colors.

    So for skilled rewriter, how many minutes should a 5,000 word text take to rewrite?

    Best regards,
    Andreas
    It doesn't matter how fast you go as long as you get the work done. Anyway, the more you do it, the faster you will get.

    Joey
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  • Profile picture of the author wabbit
    I haven't got the time to read the link just now, but I'm sure it's interesting. Thanks for the definition of plagiarism though, the things you learn on WF huh?

    And thank you Joseph, spot on.

    Rest assured JaRyCu, the text I want rewritten isn't stolen or plagiarized from anything or anyone, it's my own ideas and plr based IDEAS that I want written "better" since English isn't my native language and I want to use Copyscape to make sure what I'm paying my outsourcer for ISN'T stolen.

    And Daughtry, yes I know that too. The humor I found in it was that I really can't see Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica or any of MY other great ones enter anything like American Idol. But sure it's a different time now, the record industry certainly has changed etc so I could be wrong about that. But I hope not.

    Anyhow, I've gotten the answers I was looking for, have no interest in the usual forum banter where someone inevitably tries to misunderstand something. Peace out.
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  • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
    Writing 500 words should take 10-15 minutes.
    Another 5 minutes for editing, proof reading and revisions.
    Research should take an additional 5-15 minutes.
    If you want something perfect, then planning the content may take an additional 5+ minutes apart from the above.

    Rewriting 500 words should take about 15-25 minutes for a fast typist and thinker but about 45 minutes at least for most people. Proof reading may take a while extra after this.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by WeavingThoughts View Post

      Writing 500 words should take 10-15 minutes.
      Another 5 minutes for editing, proof reading and revisions.
      Research should take an additional 5-15 minutes.
      If you want something perfect, then planning the content may take an additional 5+ minutes apart from the above.

      Rewriting 500 words should take about 15-25 minutes for a fast typist and thinker but about 45 minutes at least for most people. Proof reading may take a while extra after this.
      What the heck kind of crap is that?

      According to whom, exactly?

      I think this is pure hogwash and I'll just let anybody/everybody know that if their writer is only spending 5 to 15 minutes on research...Beware!!

      I'm seriously trying to get over this nonsense. I think I may vote for it as the most nonsensical post of the year though.

      Whoops! Sorry if I was a little harsh, it's just that the information in it is just ludicrous.

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Matt121
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        What the heck kind of crap is that?

        According to whom, exactly?

        I think this is pure hogwash and I'll just let anybody/everybody know that if their writer is only spending 5 to 15 minutes on research...Beware!!

        I'm seriously trying to get over this nonsense. I think I may vote for it as the most nonsensical post of the year though.

        Whoops! Sorry if I was a little harsh, it's just that the information in it is just ludicrous.

        Terra
        I think that is a bit harsh, but I totally agree with you. 5 to 15 minutes of research can be done but it is a bit too fast... Kinda makes you feel skeptical with regards to his content.
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        • Profile picture of the author jazzygelable
          Based on my experience, a typical 500 word article takes about 45 mins. to 1 hour. That includes the time for research and proofreading the article. If the niche is something I'm highly familiar with, then writing one article can be as quick as 25 minutes.
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  • Profile picture of the author awicky
    Hey, wabbit.

    I want to play parrot here and just repeat: there's no real way to answer that question, even for a particular writer.

    I really want to promote the ART and CRAFT of writing. Like any art, sometimes you're on fire, and sometimes you crawl. Editing and revision are problem-solving processes (if you're doing them right, and not just straightening up word choices), and sometimes the solutions come easily. Other times, they don't.

    I worked as an English tutor for several years, and I've seen it first-hand. Some people (like me) fly through a first draft, but turn it down to snail-speed when it comes to revision. Others bleed through their foreheads just for a decent first draft, which might take them a day or two, but then can "fly through" a rewrite. I have to point out, however, that I invariably spent more time correcting a student's paper when he or she belonged to the second group. Just an observation. And perhaps a tip for the writers out there!

    Point is - quality takes time. Don't worry about "writing speed."
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  • Profile picture of the author Dimachaerus
    When I first started in IM I use to write articles(default generic income), at my best I could right a quality 500 word article in about 20-30 minutes depending on the topic.
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