The Writing Process: Revising, Editing and Proofreading Student Development Services Writing Support Centre UCC 210

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