1. Proof Reading & Editing
A guide to improving your work
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012

2. Why do I need to edit? When writing, everybody makes mistakes.
Fixing your own mistakes is a great way of learning about your own writing styles and habits.
Until you have fixed all the mistakes you can find, it is not your best work. We only learn when we do our best work.
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012

3. The Proofing process 3 Steps to the Proofing Process Edit for Purpose
Edit for Structure
Edit for Clarity
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012

4. 1. Edit for Purpose
When you finish writing your answer, you need to ensure that it fulfils the purpose it needed to serve; in other words, did it answer the question.
Read your piece whilst thinking about the question and the intended audience.
Does your response answer all the elements of the question?
Make appropriate changes to your piece. Once you are happy that it answers the question clearly and thoroughly, you can move onto step 2.
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012

5. 2. Edit for Structure
Now that the question is answered, we need to check that the response is structured in the appropriate way.
What type of question is it; short answer, extended response, a report, an essay?
Read to ensure that you have followed the appropriate structure for that question and that it is consistent throughout your writing.
Make appropriate changes to your piece. Once you are happy that it is structured appropriately and consistently, you can move onto step 3.
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012

6. 3. Edit for Clarity
Your response answers the question and does so in the appropriate structure. Now we must ensure that it is easy to understand.
Different writing styles have different rules to follow; make sure you know what type of writing you are completing. The clarity of your language will depend on spelling, punctuation, grammar and appropriate use of vocabulary.
Re-read your piece as if you were going to read it aloud. This will help you pick up mistakes.
Make appropriate changes to your piece. Once you are happy that it communicates its ideas clearly and precisely to your audience, you have completed the proofing process.
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012

7. REMEMBER
Your work is not finished until it is the best piece of work you can do. So make sure you allow time to edit it appropriately and correct any errors you have made.
© Bentleigh Secondary College 2012