Handout 29

Editing and Proofreading Steps

Identify typical errors :  Review graded or scored comments on your old papers, and list errors which were marked frequently. Be as specific as possible in gathering your list (for example, problems with introductory commas).

Make a hierarchy :  Determine which of the errors on your list occurred most often and/or cost you the most in points or letter grades. Rank the order of the items on your list so that the most serious errors are on the top.

Learn concepts: Make sure that you understand why you made the errors on your list. Do a couple of practice exercises, and talk to a Writing Lab tutor. Using your hierarchy, write rules and sample sentences in your notebook or in the back of your dictionary.

Develop strategies :  Ask a Writing Lab tutor for specific, "quick" strategies you can use to locate these errors in your papers. Refer, if needed, to the Writing Lab's "Proofreading Strategies" handout. Write each strategy, step by step, next to its corresponding rule in your notebook or dictionary. Include any relevant key words or phrases.

Write :  Write your paper as you normally would, concentrating mainly on your ideas, not on rules or strategies.

Apply your strategies :  When you finish writing, take a break, and then apply the strategies one at a time, using the rules and sample sentences as reminders if you get stuck. Remember that you are looking for specific errors, not reading the paper. Go completely through the paper looking for only one kind of error at a time. You will be able to focus your concentration and energy better that way.

back to Top                    Back to Contents page