EDITING WORKSHEET
Editing is the process of fine-tuning one’s writing. Good transitions and clarity
are essential. A carefully revised essay will have all of the necessary
components for persuading the audience. A carefully edited paper will make
that clear. While editing, a writer turns their attention to well-structured
sentences, relevant word choices, tone, and validity. Think about the following
questions as you edit your essays.
1. Do you use active verbs wherever you can? (Do you “decide” rather than
make a decision?”)
2. Have you cut all the dead wood from your sentences? (ex. Wordiness,
redundancy)
3. Do you have good reasons for using passive constructions? If not, make
them active. (Ex. The liquid was poured into the test tube by the chemist.)
4. Can you use a smaller word instead of a big, undefined one?
5. Do you find any cliches in your sentences?
6. Have you used the most precise word or term that reflects your purpose and
message?
7. Can you combine any sentences to avoid repetition?
8. Do you have any one, two, or three sentence paragraphs?
9. Are your scholarly sources, documentation, and calculations complete
and concise? Have you used MLA format as required?
10. Have you proofread the paper for punctuation, spelling, and proper
grammar?
11. Have you used critical independent thought rather than just stringing
together source documentation?
12. Have you revised your essay 3-5 times before turning in the final draft?