Editing for Writers of English as a Second Language

presented by Judith M. Davis, DirectorWriting Technology Laboratory

24 March 2003

Understand how L1 knowledge may affect L2 usage

organizationplagiarismword use/idiomsgrammar, style, and mechanics

Organization (adapted from Robert B. Kaplan, “Cultural Thought Patterns in Intercultural Education,” Language Learning 16:15)

English

Oriental

Russian

Semitic

Romance

Organization

Recognize American English discourse styleReview terms like thesis, topic sentence, paragraphUse outlining to plan and organize

PlagiarismUnderstand that “plagiarism” and “intellectual property” are culturally bound ideasUnderstand expectations for American academic prose and requirements for documentation

Acceptable paraphrase must change both syntax and word choiceAll words and ideas that are not common knowledge must be documented

Visit Research and Documentation Online: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc

Word Use/Idioms

Understand that many English expressions are idiomaticUse an English dictionary for phrasal verb complementsUse an ESL dictionary use for expanded definitions and usage tipsVisit http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ for links to many dictionaries, including ESL references

Grammar, Style, and Mechanics

Identify the causes of error:competence (need to learn the rule)• basic grammar knowledge• language acquisition

performance (need to apply the rule)• lack of editing awareness/skill• cognitive “stretch”• L1L2 interference• misapplication of rules

Use “3-Step” Editing

Read aloudRead for “trouble”Read backwards

Grammar, Style, and Mechanics

Anticipate typical ESL “troublespots”:

verbs• agreement• tense• modal + base verbs• gerunds vs. infinitives

articles• count vs. non-count nouns• definite vs. indefinite uses

Grammar, Style, and Mechanics

Anticipate typical ESL “troublespots”:

modifiers• adjectives vs. nouns • adverb placement• participles as adjectives (e.g., confused

vs. confusing)

prepositions• time and place• phrasal verb complements