G0472
Meeting 2:
“ EDITING MECHANISM AND SYSTEM“
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Learning Outcomes
You are expected to be able to use
editing system to find and edit
the mistakes in a manuscript.
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Steps in Editing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Identify typical errors
Some things to note
Remember that You are Writing for Others
Check the Paper's Development
Check the Paper's Coherence and Unity
Review your Diction
Eliminate redundancies
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1.Identify typical errors
First, read the article through. Make notes as you
go, but don’t make changes yet—you won’t have a
clear picture of what you need to do until you get
to the end.
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2. Some things to note:
•
Does the article contain all the required
information?
• Is the organization logical, so that one concept
flows smoothly into the next, or does it force the
reader to work to connect bits of information?
• If the organization is solid but the text seems
choppy, are transitions between paragraphs
adequate?
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• Does the lead draw you into the article? Does it
reflect what the article says? Does it highlight
the article’s most compelling aspects? If not, is
there a better lead elsewhere in the story?
(Often the lead is near the end.)
• Does everything the article says make sense to
you?
• Is the writing active?
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3.Remember that You are Writing for
Others:
No matter how familiar others may be with the
material, they cannot "get inside" the writer’s
head and understand her approach to it unless
she expresses herself clearly. Therefore, it is
useful to read the paper through once as you
keep in mind whether or not the student or
teacher or friend who will be reading it will
understand what she is saying. That is, have she
said exactly what she wanted to say?
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4.Check the Paper's Development
Are there sufficient details? Is the logic valid?
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5.Check the Paper's Coherence and
Unity
•
•
•
Are the major points connected?
Are the relationships between them expressed
clearly?
Do they all relate to the thesis?
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6.Review your Diction
Remember that others are reading your paper
and that even the choice of one word can affect
their response to it. Try to anticipate their
response, and choose your words accordingly.
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Example:
• Original: The media's exploitation of the
Watergate scandal showed how biased it
was already.
• Edited: The media's coverage of the
Watergate scandal suggests that
perhaps those in the media had already
determined Nixon’s guilt.
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7. Eliminate redundancies
Make the writing as concise as
possible, and resolve any factchecking questions.
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Focus on the details to ensure that:
• There are no spelling or grammar
mistakes.
• Punctuation and word usage conform to
your publication’s editorial style.
• Facts (such as names and dates) are
consistent.
• Information is properly attributed.
• There are no remaining clarity problems.
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