PrePALS Writing

1) Before editing, set up Word for efficiency and visibility.

• Turn on “Track Changes”
  • Go to Review, Track Changes
  • This will highlight anything that has been deleted or inserted, as well as any formatting changes. 
• Enable the “Reviewing Pane” to see all edits in a list.
• Use “Simple Markup” for a simple view or “All Markup” when you want to see all the details.

2) Use the Built-In Editing Tools

• Comments
  • Highlight text, right click, New Comment to add feedback in a side bubble and not within the text of the document; leave reminders, notations for/from reviews
  • Accept/Reject changes using Next/Previous in the Review tab
• Compare Documents
  • Go to Review, Compare, Compare Two Versions
  • This will help identify what changed between drafts; this is especially helpful for peer reviews.

3) Improve Accuracy by using Proofreading and Grammar Tools

• Spelling and Grammar Check (found under Review or F7) will catch typos, spelling errors, extra spaces, and basic grammar mistakes.
• Editor (a feature in Microsoft 365; found under Home) will provide suggestions for clarity, style, and conciseness; tip: adjust settings for “formal writing” for academic work
• Read, Read Aloud to listen to your writing in hopes of “hearing” an error, such as missing words or awkward phrasing

4) Elevate Style and Consistency

• Go to Home, Styles to apply “Headings” for structure
• Automatically build a Table of Contents
• Use Find/Replace to maintain consistency with word choice
  • Use Crtl + F to correct variations in spelling or fix inconsistent capitalization

5) Use for Formatting and Referencing

• Create citations by using References, Insert Citations, and choose the preferred style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc)
• Keep track of all sources in Manage Sources
• Create an automatic Table of Contents by going to References, Table of Contents (do so after applying headings); this will update automatically
• Ensure correct margins and line spacing; Layout, Margins, Normal (1”); Home, Paragraph, Line Spacing 

6)  Check word count (Review, Word Count)

7)  Final Check

• Be sure to turn off “Track Changes” and/or “Show Markups” if they were turned out
• Double-check for consistency with font, spacing, citation styles
• Save the most recent copy; it is also wise to save a revision history copy

1) Before editing, set up Google Docs for efficiency and visibility.

• Turn on “Suggesting Mode”
  • Go to the top right corner and click the Editing drop-down, choose Suggesting
  • This will highlight everything you add or delete in green and show comments in the margin
• To see all edits and who made them, click on File, Version History, See Version History
• Name versions (“First Draft,” “Peer Review,” etc.) to keep track of progress
• To control how you see and make changes, toggle between “Editing,” “Suggesting,” and “Viewing”

2) Use the Built-In Editing Tools

• Comments
  • Highlight text, right click, Comment (or use Ctrl + Alt + M/ Cmd + Option + M for a Mac) to leave feedback, leave reminders, and notations without changing the text itself
  • Reply or resolve comments as you go through; choose Accept or Reject; use Next/Previous arrows to move between edits
• Compare Documents
  • Go to Tools, Compare Documents
  • Upload or select the two documents that you want to compare
  • A new file highlighting the differences between drafts will be created
  • This will help identify what changed between drafts; this is especially helpful for peer reviews.

3) Improve Accuracy by using Proofreading and Grammar Tools

• Spelling and Grammar Check (Tools, Spelling and Grammar, Check Spelling and Grammar) will catch typos, spelling errors, extra spaces, and basic grammar mistakes.
• Select Automatic Spelling and Grammar Check for real-time feedback
• Select Tools, Preferences or Settings (gear icon) to use “Smart Compose” and grammar suggestions; provides suggestions for clarity, tone, and conciseness
• Use Tools, Accessibility Settings, Turn on Screen Reader Support to hear content read aloud to listen for awkward phrases or missing words

4)  Elevate Style and Consistency

• Go to Format, Paragraph Styles to apply “Headings” for structure
• Automatically build a Table of Contents by going to Insert, Table of Contents
• Use Edit, Find and Replace (Ctrl + H / Cmd + Shift + H) to maintain consistency with word choice and spelling

5) Use for Formatting and Referencing

• Create citations by using Tools,  Citations, and choose the preferred style (APA, MLA, or Chicago)
• Add Citation Sources to store references
• Once complete, insert your bibliography with Insert Works Cited
• Adjust formatting with File, Page Setup, 1-inch margins and Format, Line & Paragraph Spacing

6) Check word count (Tools, Word Count) or (use Ctrl + Shift + C / Cmd + Shift + C)

7) Final Check

• Switch from Suggesting to Editing when finished
• Resolve all comments
• Double-check for consistency with font, spacing, headings, and citation styles
• Save the most recent copy with a clear name (your initials, course, assignment); it is also wise to save a revision history copy