Editing and Proofreading

Editing and Proofreading 1

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Editing and Proofreading


Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading

This presentation is an overview of how to edit and proofread your assignments.


Just as a good photo can be enhanced on the computer to make it look great...

...a great assignment is written in multiple drafts.

Take time to revise your assignment—edit and proofread

Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading


Task requirements

Sources of information

Structure

Style

Proofreading looks Proofreading looks at the details at the details

Grammar

SpellingWord choice

Punctuation


Before you start revising:Before you start revising:

Find a quiet place

Change the look

Find a quiet place

Get some distanceLeave it for a day after you have

finished the first draft

Change the lookChange the font, line

spacing or size

Do one section at timeFind a quiet place

Get someone else to read your work


Editing Editing


Content Content

1. Re-read Your assignment sheet Your criteria (or CRA) sheet Other information from your lecturer /

tutor

2. Check that you have specifically answered the question and completed all tasks

3. Write a checklist of all the requirements of your assignment and tick off each item as you complete them


Summarize the main point of your assignment

State your thesis

The structure should be outlined

The scope (or limits) should be explained

StructureStructure


Each paragraph should develop only one idea which is stated in the topic sentence

All points made should be supported by evidence

Linking words or phrases should be used to create flow between paragraphs

StructureStructure


StructureStructure

The points in the body of your assignment should be summarised

Repeat the main point of the assignment

Restate your thesis


Academic Style Academic Style

heshethey

meyouwe

Write in the third person

Use a formal, objective tone

Support statements with evidence.

Consider different points of view

Focus on facts, not emotion


Academic StyleAcademic Style

For Example …

I think that everyone is realising how its really awful the way animals are just slaughtered so that people can have their steak dinners.

I think that everyone is realising how its really awful the way animals are just slaughtered so that people can have their steak dinners.

In a recent study, 67% of young people expressed their aversion to the killing of animals for consumption. However, only 32% of respondents aged over 25 felt the same way (Mitchell, 2007, p.36).

In a recent study, 67% of young people expressed their aversion to the killing of animals for consumption. However, only 32% of respondents aged over 25 felt the same way (Mitchell, 2007, p.36).

NOT Academic style Academic style


SourcesSourcesQuestion: Have I indicated the source of every piece of information I have used in my assignment?

Information in your assignment requires an in-text citation reference list

Sources should be current authoritative

Check with your lecturer as to which referencing style to use.


ProofreadingProofreading


Word Choice Word Choice Question: Is my assignment clear in meaning?

Be concise

Use specialised language where appropriate

Avoid words you do not know

Remove slang and discriminatory language


Word ChoiceWord ChoiceHedging Statements

Hedging statements are conclusions that are not absolute and therefore are not as easy to disprove

Hedging statements tend to use words such as ‘it maybe…’, it indicates that…, ‘it could be concluded that…’

“Today everyone uses

credit cards for all

their shopping.”

“Many people in society use their credit cards for much of their shopping.”

Absolute Statement

Hedging Statement


GrammarGrammarQuestions: Are all my sentences complete? Do they all make sense?

Every sentence in your assignment should be complete It should contain each of these grammatical elements

The cat walked the fridgeto

The subject – who or what is doing something

The verb– what is being done

The object – who or what is having something done to it


GrammarGrammarRead your assignment out loud one sentence at a time

Your ears will usually hear when a sentence is not complete


GrammarGrammarQuestions: Do my sentences contain only one idea? Are they too long and complicated?

A sentence should only have one point. Try not to have a sentence that runs for no more than two or three lines. If it is too long, divide it into more than one sentence.


GrammarGrammarQuestions: Do the different elements of my sentences agree?

In each of your sentences: The subject and verb should agree – that is, if your subject is singular (one) then your verb should be in the singular form

one cat singular verb

eg: The cat sits on the couch the cats sit on the couch

more than one cat plural verb

Nouns and pronouns should match more than one accountant

eg: Good accountants look out for the interests of his / their clients

plural pronoun


GrammarGrammar

You can find more about the rules on these and other grammar points at:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/5/


Punctuation Punctuation Questions: Have I punctuated my sentences correctly? Have I used commas in the right places? Have I used apostrophes for the right reason?

Commas are commonly used for separating adjectives

e.g. The small, tense and quivering mouse looked up at me. adding an extra phrase into a sentence

e.g. The tall man, who wore a red tie, looked over his shoulder.

Apostrophes indicate either letter of a word have been left out (contraction) e.g. you’re, who’ll the ownership of something (possession) e.g. Lin’s wallet, the boys’ football


PunctuationPunctuation

Check your understanding of these and other punctuation points at:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/6/


Spelling Spelling Question: Is my spelling correct?

Spelling is the least important part of your assignment, but the most visible.

Use a spell checker, but do not just rely on it.

Learn to spell the words you use often.

Check your work by reading it backwards—you tend to focus less on the meaning of words and more on their spelling.


FormattingFormatting

Check your unit outline and blackboard site for formatting requirements.

Referencing style Font size

Line spacing & margins

Headings & page numbers

Cover sheet

Graph size & captions


Photo References (in order of appearance) Photo References (in order of appearance) PAGES 2-5

Nic McPhee, 'Editing a paper - 19 ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nics_events/2349630643/, ed, 2008, pen on page of edited text, lid upright on page.

Nic McPhee, 'Editing a paper - 27', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nics_events/2349631689/, ed, 2008, Fountain pen on edited page

R. Peschetz, '(Utopia) Before and After ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpeschetz/2611295812/, ed, 2008, building photo before and after photoshopped

Wim Mulder, 'Writing to reach you', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wimmulder/15653748/, ed, 2005, holding a pen.

Exothermic, 'Flaming Orange Red Autumn Tree', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/exothermic/2041438046, ed, 2007, completely orange red autumn tree

Grant MacDonald, 'fall leaf ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantmac/246785658/, ed, 2006, autumn leaf lying on the ground

Julian Robinson, 'the Loneliness of the Long distance Cyclist', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/2460263055/, ed, 2008, long road with cyclist in the distance

Peter Garnhum., 'Edge of the Monsoon Palace ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/petergarnhum/237427219/, ed, 2006, looking over palace walls to valley below

Telstar Logistics, 'Severed 707 Nose Section ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/telstar/67555169/, ed, 2005, Severed nose cone of a 707 jet.

Rosalie A. Bakar, '5 Tips to help you get the most from proofreading ', In: http://www.ezyblogger.com/2009/05/5-tips-to-help-you-get-the-most-from-proofreading/, ed, 2009, black bird reading words on manhole cover

T Martins, 'AGR-02RW012-005', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjmartins/3996324066/, ed, 2009, Aerial view of harvester in a field, field half done



Justin See, 'To-do list book', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/koalazymonkey/3596829214/, ed, 2009, open notebook with pencil

skipnclick, 'Pointed question', 2008, hand writing 'what's the point?‘

Patrick Medved, 'Structure ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ppix/2305078608/, ed, 2008, steel frame

Sarah Macmillan, 'The fence ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/essjay/3952434562/, ed, 2009, sunset through a chain link fence

Aftab Uzzaman, 'Pink ball saga ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aftab/4139274434/, ed, 2009, pink golf ball on beach pebbles

Eric Lin, 'Support structure for main terrace, park guell', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phonescoop/98402233/, ed, 2006, Columns supporting a mosaic roof

Celeste Goulding, 'Wonderful early victorian hand motif bracelet ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfectjewels/2130677387, ed, 2007, bracelet with ornate links, patterned beads and a hand on the end

Elliott Brown, 'Statue of George I outside The Barber Institue of Fine Arts - the horse's tail ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4207405714/, ed, 2009, tail end of statue of horse of King George I.

Sarietha, 'Repeating Patterns', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarietha/1794451071/, ed, 2007, A set of lights repeated down a hallway.

Light Rail Now, In: http://www.lightrailnow.org/images02/transit-graph-safety-per-pm-avg-2002-04_lrn.gif, ed, A graph of transit safety.

Grace Fell, 'Thinking ...' In: 392964271_b4d8fe95e9_o.jpg, ed, 2007, woman, chin on hand, looking up and thinking

Leo Reynolds, 'pile of books ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/4077733692/, ed, 2009, pile of books

Antony Chammond, 'Hedging my bets at Penshurst Place', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8525214@N06/2918055523/, ed, 2008, tall hedge with a doorway cut out of it

justmakeit, '265/27 Sock Tragedies ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2231096694/, ed, 2008, Three unfinished knitted socks

C Koay, 'Venus de Milo ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceekay/358327527/, ed, 15 January, 2007, statue of Venus de Milo

James Thompson, 'Cut Cake ', 2006, cream sponge cake with piece cut out of it



Sarah Charlesworth, 'Train runs up the west side of the Exe estuary ', In: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1285794, ed, 2009, Train running through fields with cows in foreground

Enrique Burgos, 'customer-loyalty_retention ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enriqueburgosgarcia/3364250371/, ed, 2009, two stylized people shaking hands

Leo Reynolds, 'comma', 2006, comma yellow on green with link pattern

Stephen Lock, 'Spelling', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephendl/2212818035/, ed, 2008, colourful plastic letters of the alphabet jumbled

Rick Kirby, 'Formation', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21804434@N02/3476321942/, ed, 2003, sculpture of six women with arms outstretched.

Editing and Proofreading

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