Writing Essays

Editing involves making changes that will improve the overall quality of your writing, particularly in relation to language use and expression. After editing, your language will be sharp and consistent, your expression clear and the overall readability of your writing enhanced. Editing should ensure that your writing gives the impression that the English language comes naturally to you, even if it does not.

Basics

Take some time in between revisions. If you can, take a day away from the material. If you cannot because a deadline is approaching, take breaks. 

• Fix the formatting (make sure it is double spaced, 12 pt font, and that the title is capitalized properly).
• Check that you have a Works Cited Page/References if it is needed.
• Make sure the citations are done correctly.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the process of correcting surface errors in writing, such as grammatical, spelling, punctuation and other language mistakes.

Clear structure and coherency

Questions to ask yourself:

Does it flow well? Do the transitions work? Is there an introduction? A conclusion? Does it make sense? Is it clear what ideas you are using?

Grammar Editing

1. Start with fixing run-ons and sentence fragments. These tend to be more jarring than a simple misspelling.
2. Along those same lines, take a close look at punctuation. Circle every punctuation mark. This forces you to look at each one. As you circle, ask yourself if the punctuation is correct.
3. Then, look at other grammatical issues, such as capitalization, your vs you're, etc.
4. Start with fixing run-ons and sentence fragments. These tend to be more jarring than a simple misspelling.
5. Along those same lines, take a close look at punctuation. Circle every punctuation mark. This forces you to look at each one. As you circle, ask yourself if the punctuation is correct.
6. Then, look at other grammatical issues, such as capitalization, your vs you're, etc.

Extra Tips

• Focus on one grammar mistake at a time. Otherwise, you will get overwhelmed and miss things.
• Separate the text into individual sentences. Simply press enter after every period so that every line begins a new sentence. Then read each sentence separately, looking for grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. 
• Avoid redundancy. If you say something once, there is no need to repeat it.
• Make sure you are not using slang in academic papers. If you would use it in a text message, it is probably best to reconsider whether you would use it.
• Pronouns like “she”, “he”, “they”, and “it” are vague. Make sure it is clear what those pronouns are referring to.

Read Your Paper

Read slowly and read every word. Try reading out loud which forces you to say each word and also lets you hear how the words sound together. When you read silently or too quickly, you may skip over errors or make unconscious corrections.

You can also have your computer read your paper out loud to you or someone else.

Examine Each Paragraph

Go back through your essay and look at each paragraph as an individual unit. Are your paragraphs fully developed? Each should have a topic sentence followed by supporting evidence, so revise as necessary. Make sure your paper transitions well from paragraph to paragraph as well. 

Change the Format

Sometimes, all your brain needs to catch errors is a change of form. If you’ve written the essay on the computer, print it out. A printed copy is a great way to proofread and edit — you can use different color inks to mark trouble spots and get a good visual representation of the editing map before you. Moreover, your eyes won’t tire out as quickly from all that screen time.

If you prefer to keep working on the computer with your paper, change the ink color or the font (just make sure to change your paper back later). This will help refresh your eyes.

Serif is a calming font and blue is a calming color, if you are feeling a bit anxious about your paper.

When to obtain feedback:

• You are close to finished.
• You are stuck somewhere in the writing process.

Tips: 

1. If there is ever something specific you are worried about, ask whoever you are getting feedback from to look out for it. 
2. Do not rely entirely on sites like grammarly or spell check. They are computers and English is hard, even for them.
3. Do talk to tutors and other good writers you know.
4. You should be an expert about what you are writing. Trust yourself.