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

2. Outline
An Editor’s Mindset
Revising
Editing
Proofreading

3. 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

4. Self Editing Issues Give yourself some space... ...But not too much
Learn your tendencies
What are your goals?

5. Peer Editing Issues Degree of help needed
Amount of time before submission
Balance criticisms with compliments

6. Procuring Peer Editors
Writers need readers
Good editors are worth their weight in gold
Don’t abuse them; give them your best work

7. Layers of Effective Writing
4- Content
3- Organization
2- Style
1- Appearance
Rewriting
Revising
Editing
Proofreading

8. Revising For Organization
Moving around and adding/removing major pieces of text
Most important aspect
Hard, but rewarding

9. 1: Elements of the Text Thesis Statement/Hypothesis/Objectives
Introduction/Conclusion
Topic Sentences

10. 2: Logical Flow Linear process: A → B → C → D
Does the content build on itself?

11. 3: Discipline-Specific Conventions
“Rules” that are not to be violated
E.g. No results in methods, discussion in results (Sciences)

12. 4: Audience Appropriateness
Will the content be clear for the intended audience?

13. Revising Yourself A detached perspective is essential
Get to the essence of the text

14. Revising Peers Keep a safe distance
Ask specific questions, don’t rewrite

15. Procuring Peers Within-discipline peers are most helpful
Outside-discipline peers may need help

16. Editing for Style Micro-logical aspects of the text Is this readable?
What style is appropriate?
Do the sentences flow?

17. Clarity If it can be misinterpreted, it is wrong
Make changes to vague, absolute, misleading, and commonly misinterpreted words

18. Conciseness
If words or phrases can be removed while maintaining meaning, do it
Change passive voice, negative form

19. General Editing Tips Read aloud Hard copy vs. Electronic
Tracking changes

20. Tracking Changes

21. Editing Yourself Again, time and space is essential
Learn your tendencies

22. Editing Your Peers Edit, don’t rewrite
Keep the spirit, just play with the words

23. Procuring Peer Editors
Within discipline: Help with discipline-specific terminology
Outside of discipline: Won’t get distracted by content

24. Proofreading for Appearance
Grammar, spelling, formatting
Spellcheck and grammar check are not enough
Read each word and sentence carefully
Usually the last step

25. Proofreading Yourself
Best results when rested
Learn your common mistakes
Last thing you do before handing in or submitting

26. Proofreading Your Peers
Only if other aspects are clean
Point out repeated mistakes
Can feel like “piling on”

27. Procuring Proofreading Peers
Within-Discipline: Can be a waste
Outside-Discipline:
Anal retentive friends
Essential for ESL students

28. General Proofreading Tips
Read aloud
Read backwards
Watch every comma (and other punctuation)
Hard copy vs. Electronic

29. Final Notes Take a break in the middle Review multiple drafts
Be nice to your editors