Read for the whole first
Write a brief description of what the draft is trying to do. Then read without editing every sentence. Note where the structure supports that purpose and where the reader may lose the thread.
Choose one kind of change
On the next pass, work on a defined problem such as sequence, missing context, or a repeated point. Keeping the task narrow makes it easier to tell whether a change helps. Save sentence polishing until the larger shape is more settled.
Keep a change note
Before a substantial rewrite, save a version you can return to. Record the reason for the change in a sentence. This helps you assess the experiment without relying on a vague feeling that the new version must be better.
Stop with a clear question
End a pass by naming what still needs attention. If you share the draft, ask a reader a focused question about that issue. A specific response is often more useful than a general verdict on whether the piece works.
Name the pass at the top of the page
Write a short instruction such as “check the sequence of ideas” or “look for places where the reader needs context.” When another issue attracts your attention, note it for later unless it prevents the current pass from continuing.
This is especially useful when a sentence is enjoyable to polish but may disappear after a structural change. You do not have to ignore the sentence forever; you are choosing when that work becomes worthwhile.
Compare against a specific intention
Before changing a section, say what you expect the change to accomplish. Moving an example earlier might help the reader understand a term. Removing a repeated explanation might keep a scene moving. Afterward, read enough surrounding material to check whether that intended improvement occurred.
Keep alternatives when the decision is uncertain. A clearly named saved version lets you compare results without treating the latest version as automatically best.
Finish with a limited handoff
Choose the next revision question rather than generating an unlimited list of everything imperfect. If you cannot see the larger structure, make a reverse outline. If you need to leave the piece for a while, a few lines in a writing log can preserve the reason behind your next pass.