Have you defined any important terms that might be unclear to your reader? Is the meaning of each sentence clear? (One way to answer this question is to read your paper one sentence at a time, starting at the end and working backwards so that you will not unconsciously fill in content from previous sentences.) Is it clear what each pronoun (he, she, it, they, which, who, this, etc.) refers to? Have you chosen the proper words to express your ideas? Avoid using words you find in the thesaurus that aren’t part of your normal vocabulary you may misuse them. (See our handouts on introductions, conclusions, thesis statements, and transitions.) Structure within paragraphsĭoes each paragraph have a clear topic sentence? Does each paragraph stick to one main idea? Are there any extraneous or missing sentences in any of your paragraphs? (See our handout on paragraph development.) Clarity Have you done everything the assignment requires? Are the claims you make accurate? If it is required to do so, does your paper make an argument? Is the argument complete? Are all of your claims consistent? Have you supported each point with adequate evidence? Is all of the information in your paper relevant to the assignment and/or your overall writing goal? (For additional tips, see our handouts on understanding assignments and developing an argument.) Overall structureĭoes your paper have an appropriate introduction and conclusion? Is your thesis clearly stated in your introduction? Is it clear how each paragraph in the body of your paper is related to your thesis? Are the paragraphs arranged in a logical sequence? Have you made clear transitions between paragraphs? One way to check the structure of your paper is to make a reverse outline of the paper after you have written the first draft. You reread your draft to see, for example, whether the paper is well-organized, the transitions between paragraphs are smooth, and your evidence really backs up your argument. Make sure that you complete the most important editing and proofreading tasks.Įditing is what you begin doing as soon as you finish your first draft. If you’re short on time, you may wish to prioritize.Your concentration may start to wane if you try to proofread the entire text at one time. If possible, do your editing and proofreading in several short blocks of time.Find a place where you can concentrate and avoid distractions. Don’t try to do your proofreading in front of the TV or while you’re chugging away on the treadmill. Altering the size, spacing, color, or style of the text may trick your brain into thinking it’s seeing an unfamiliar document, and that can help you get a different perspective on what you’ve written. Try changing the look of your document.Some people like to work right at the computer, while others like to sit back with a printed copy that they can mark up as they read. Decide which medium lets you proofread most carefully.Someone who is reading the paper for the first time, comes to it with completely fresh eyes. Better yet, give the paper to a friend-you can’t get much more distance than that. Clear your head of what you’ve written so you can take a fresh look at the paper and see what is really on the page. Put the paper aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. Get some distance from the text! It’s hard to edit or proofread a paper that you’ve just finished writing-it’s still to familiar, and you tend to skip over a lot of errors.Some tips that apply to both editing and proofreading Both demand close and careful reading, but they focus on different aspects of the writing and employ different techniques. Although many people use the terms interchangeably, editing and proofreading are two different stages of the revision process. See if you can spot them! Is editing the same thing as proofreading? To give you a chance to practice proofreading, we have left seven errors (three spelling errors, two punctuation errors, and two grammatical errors) in the text of this handout. This handout provides some tips and strategies for revising your writing. Editing and Proofreading What this handout is about
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