Editing and reviewing
Editing and reviewing is a stage that students sometimes
miss, maybe because they've run out of time, or
because they feel so sick of the essay or report that they don't want
to look at it again! It's important to build in time to edit your work
effectively.
How do I plan editing and reviewing?
If your essay or report
looks slapdash, contains obvious errors, or repetitions, or you've forgotten
some references,
it can create a poor impression and you can lose marks.
How can you plan editing and reviewing?
- First of all, try to put your writing away and leave it for a
day or so. This means you can pick it up and look at it with a fresh
eye. It also allows your brain to mull over the ideas subconsciously,
which can really help.
- When you return to your writing to review it, you need to proofread
for content, and also for the writing, for example spelling, grammar,
punctuation.
- You can't do both at the same time. If you are concentrating
on the content and whether everything makes sense, you won't notice
spelling mistakes. So you need to read the writing for the content
and the writing separately.
- It's a good idea to ask someone to proofread your writing. They
can often pick up errors you have missed, because you're too close
to it.
What should I check for?
- Have you answered the question set? Have you addressed the topic
given?
- Is your assignment the right length? 10% either way is usually
permissible.
- Is your content all relevant to the question set?
- Have you supported your ideas with evidence?
- Does the writing flow, so that the reader will feel a clear sense
of direction? Or are some parts a bit disjointed?
- Is the writing style appropriate?
- Are the grammar, spelling and punctuation correct?
- Are ideas from other writers clearly referenced within the assignment?
- Do the references given in the assignment match the reference
list at the end?
- Does the reference list follow the appropriate conventions?
Editing
tips
- Try to leave a short gap between when you finish the writing
and when you go back to review. This means you will look at it
with a fresh eye. Pressures of time may make this difficult to
achieve, but if you can do it, it really is worth it.
- Don't try to read for meaning and check the spelling and grammar
at the same time. If your brain is searching for meaning, it tends
to ignore spelling mistakes! So you need to check these separately.
- If you can, get someone else to proofread your essay. They will
notice things you don't see because you know what you mean and you
are too close to it.
- Some students find it useful to read their assignments aloud,
because sometimes they hear things they don't see.
Remember! A little time spent editing and reviewing
can improve your finished writing and boost your
marks. So try to do it!
Students
said…