The Writing Process: Revising, Editing and Proofreading Student Development Services Writing Support...
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Transcript of The Writing Process: Revising, Editing and Proofreading Student Development Services Writing Support...
The Writing Process: Revising, Editing and
Proofreading
Student Development ServicesWriting Support Centre
UCC 210www.sds.uwo.ca/writing
Outline
An Editor’s Mindset
Revising
Editing
Proofreading
An Editor’s Mindset
Essential component of the writing process
Similar to, yet different from, drafting
Same goals
Usually a different process
Polishing rather than creating
Depends if editing for yourself or a peer
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
Amount of 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
4- Content
3- Organization
2- Style
1- Appearance
Rewriting
Revising
Editing
Proofreading
Revising For Organization
Moving around and adding/removing major pieces of text
Most important aspect
Hard, but rewarding
1: Elements of the Text
Thesis Statement/Hypothesis/Objectives
Introduction/Conclusion
Topic Sentences
2: Logical Flow
Linear process: A → B → C → D
Does the content build on itself?
3: Discipline-Specific Conventions
“Rules” that are not to be violated
E.g. No results in methods, discussion in results (Sciences)
4: Audience Appropriateness
Will the content be clear for the intended audience?
Revising Yourself
A detached perspective is essential
Get to the essence of the text
Revising Peers
Keep a safe distance
Ask specific questions, don’t rewrite
Procuring Peers
Within-discipline peers are most helpful
Outside-discipline peers may need help
Editing for Style
Micro-logical aspects of the text
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
General Editing Tips
Read aloud
Hard copy vs. Electronic
Tracking changes
Tracking Changes
Editing Yourself
Again, time and space is essential
Learn your tendencies
Editing Your Peers
Edit, don’t rewrite
Keep the spirit, just play with the words
Procuring Peer Editors
Within discipline: Help with discipline-specific terminology
Outside of discipline: Won’t get distracted by content
Proofreading for Appearance
Grammar, spelling, formatting
Spellcheck and grammar check are not enough
Read each word and sentence carefully
Usually the last step
Proofreading Yourself
Best results when rested
Learn your common mistakes
Last thing you do before handing in or submitting
Proofreading Your Peers
Only if other aspects are clean
Point out repeated mistakes
Can feel like “piling on”
Procuring Proofreading Peers
Within-Discipline: Can be a waste
Outside-Discipline:
Anal retentive friends
Essential for ESL students
General Proofreading Tips
Read aloud
Read backwards
Watch every comma (and other punctuation)
Hard copy vs. Electronic
Final Notes
Take a break in the middle
Review multiple drafts
Be nice to your editors