PrePALS Writing

10 Proofreading Strategies

How To Revise and Edit

REVISING: making changes to ideas, content, structure, and clarity.  Focuses on what you say and how clearly you say it.

Examples:  - Rewriting a sentence to make it more formal.

       - Adding details to clarify your argument.

       -Rearranging paragraph for better flow.

EDITING: making changes to grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, and formatting.  Focuses on how clearly you say it.

Examples:  - Correcting “their” vs “there.”

      - Fixing comma placement

      -Adjusting word choice for conciseness.

Before revising or editing, ask yourself:

1. Does my paragraph have a clear main idea?
    
2. Are my arguments or examples fully explained?
    
3. Is my writing formal and appropriate for college-level work?
    
4. Are there grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors?
    
5. Does the paragraph flow smoothly from one idea to the next?

Application Activity:

Instructions:

1. Read your rough draft carefully.
    
2. Revising Task: Identify at least 3 parts where you can:
    
   • Clarify your argument
      
   • Add supporting evidence
      
   • Improve organization or flow
      
3. Editing Task: Identify at least 3 parts where you can:
    
   • Correct grammar or spelling
      
   • Adjust punctuation
      
   • Replace informal words with formal alternatives
      

Rewrite your paragraph incorporating both revising and editing changes.

Attribution:

ReadWriteThink I International Reading Association. 

License: Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike .

You may submit your writing to the Online Writing Center via this online Writing Center LINK to have someone revise and edit your writing. The link will bring you to a form.  In the form, type in the name of the course for the COURSE NAME and the instructor's name for INSTRUCTOR.  If you are submitting writing that is specific to the PrePALS LibGuide, enter "PrePALS" for the course name and "None" for the INSTRUCTOR.