The Writing Process: Revising, Editing and

Proofreading

Student Development ServicesWriting Support Centre

UCC 210www.sds.uwo.ca/writing

Outline

An Editor’s Mindset

Revising

Editing

Proofreading

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

Self Editing Issues

Give yourself some space...

...But not too much

Learn your tendencies

What are your goals?

Peer Editing Issues

Degree of help needed

Amount of time before submission

Balance criticisms with compliments

Procuring Peer Editors

Writers need readers

Good editors are worth their weight in gold

Don’t abuse them; give them your best work

Layers of Effective Writing

4- Content

3- Organization

2- Style

1- Appearance

Rewriting

Revising

Editing

Proofreading

Revising For Organization

Moving around and adding/removing major pieces of text

Most important aspect

Hard, but rewarding

1: Elements of the Text

Thesis Statement/Hypothesis/Objectives

Introduction/Conclusion

Topic Sentences

2: Logical Flow

Linear process: A → B → C → D

Does the content build on itself?

3: Discipline-Specific Conventions

“Rules” that are not to be violated

E.g. No results in methods, discussion in results (Sciences)

4: Audience Appropriateness

Will the content be clear for the intended audience?

Revising Yourself

A detached perspective is essential

Get to the essence of the text

Revising Peers

Keep a safe distance

Ask specific questions, don’t rewrite

Procuring Peers

Within-discipline peers are most helpful

Outside-discipline peers may need help

Editing for Style

Micro-logical aspects of the text

Is this readable?

What style is appropriate?

Do the sentences flow?

Clarity

If it can be misinterpreted, it is wrong

Make changes to vague, absolute, misleading, and commonly misinterpreted words

Conciseness

If words or phrases can be removed while maintaining meaning, do it

Change passive voice, negative form

General Editing Tips

Read aloud

Hard copy vs. Electronic

Tracking changes

Tracking Changes

Editing Yourself

Again, time and space is essential

Learn your tendencies

Editing Your Peers

Edit, don’t rewrite

Keep the spirit, just play with the words

Procuring Peer Editors

Within discipline: Help with discipline-specific terminology

Outside of discipline: Won’t get distracted by content

Proofreading for Appearance

Grammar, spelling, formatting

Spellcheck and grammar check are not enough

Read each word and sentence carefully

Usually the last step

Proofreading Yourself

Best results when rested

Learn your common mistakes

Last thing you do before handing in or submitting

Proofreading Your Peers

Only if other aspects are clean

Point out repeated mistakes

Can feel like “piling on”

Procuring Proofreading Peers

Within-Discipline: Can be a waste

Outside-Discipline:

Anal retentive friends

Essential for ESL students

General Proofreading Tips

Read aloud

Read backwards

Watch every comma (and other punctuation)

Hard copy vs. Electronic

Final Notes

Take a break in the middle

Review multiple drafts

Be nice to your editors