Editing
Steps for Revision
As you plan your writing work, be sure to set aside time for the all-important editing process. Often, what separates good writing from great writing is a little bit of mindful revision. It can help to set aside your draft assignment for at least a day before you begin editing.
1. Global Revision
Global revision is about your assignment’s flow and cohesion as a whole. How do the paragraphs fit together? Do the paragraphs relate back to your thesis? Are the sentences long and wordy or sharp and clear?
2. Peer Editing and the Writing Centre
- Having a student write any part of your assignment is definitely not okay, but there are benefits to getting a colleague’s feedback on your work. Ask an acquaintance to read your writing and take note of any confusing passages, missing details, or weak arguments.
- Writing Centre: Tutors at the UPEI Writing Centre (a free resource) offer support to students at any stage of the writing process. Register for eTutoring appointments here.
3. Proofreading
Proofreading gives you a chance to take a closer look at grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Sometimes, it’s useful to print off your work and highlight mistakes with a pen. Keep in mind, many errors will slip past spell-checking software, so careful proofreading is vital. Below are some resources relating to common spelling and grammar mistakes.
Common Mistakes
Grammarly
Grammarly (free for UPEI students) is an editing plugin that can be used online and added to Microsoft word. Like any proof-reading software, Grammarly should be treated as a supplement, not a replacement, for good editing.
