The Writing Process:
Revising, Editing and
Proofreading
4 BASES
UNITY, SUPPORT
COHERENCE AND
SENTENCE SKILLS!
UNITY
-all materials are on the same
target..same point
SUPPORT
-enough specific evidence?
COHERENCE
-is the paper organzied,
transitions, tied
together…DOES IT MAKE
SENSE?
Sentence Skills
- look for grammar errors
Evidence
-support, reasons, facts,
details, statistics, quote,
anecdote, observation,
interview, library, RELEVANT!
Unified, adequate, dramatic,
accurate,
Evidence Continued…
Check…Tone, attitude, style,
avoid cliché, word choice,
avoid redundancy, wordiness,
avoid slang! Use complex
sentences
TRANSITIONS!
-additonal signals, first of all furthermore
-space signals, next , below,
-change direction, but, however, yet , in contrast
-illustration- for example, for instance
Conlusion- therfore, consequently, thus , as a result, finally
Think about…
Have an Editor’s Mindset
Revising
Editing
Proofreading
An Editor’s Mindset
Polishing rather than creating
Self Editing Issues
Give yourself some space...
...But not too much
Learn your tendencies
What are your goals?
Peer Editing Issues
Degree of help needed
Have enough time before submission
Balance criticisms with compliments
Procuring Peer Editors
Writers need readers
Good editors are worth their weight in gold
Don’t abuse them; give them your best work
Layers of Effective Writing
Content
Rewriting
Organization
Revising
Style
Editing
Appearance
Proofreading
Revising For Organization
Moving around and adding/removing major
pieces of text
This is an important aspect
Hard, but rewarding
Don’t Forget:
Elements of the Essay
Thesis Statement/Hypothesis/Objectives
Introduction/Body/Conclusion
Topic Sentences for each paragraph
Logical Flow
Linear process: A → B → C → D
Does the content build on itself?
Audience Appropriateness
Will the content be clear for the intended
audience?
Editing for Style
Micro-logical aspects of the text…is it logical?
Is this readable?
What style is appropriate?
Do the sentences flow?
Clarity
If it can be misinterpreted, it is wrong
Make changes to vague, absolute, misleading,
and commonly misinterpreted words
Conciseness
If words or phrases can be removed while
maintaining meaning, do it
Change passive voice, negative form
More General Editing Tips
Read aloud
Hard copy vs. Electronic (edit with red pen)
Tracking changes
Proofreading
Grammar, spelling, formatting
Spellcheck and grammar check are not enough
Read each word and sentence carefully
Proofreading Yourself
Best results when rested
Learn your common mistakes
General Proofreading Tips
Read aloud
Watch every comma (and other punctuation)
WRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE END!