Editing

LAVC Writing Center Local Revision/Editing

May 2, 2011

Defining Editing What’s the difference between revising and editing? •Revision involves making changes to your paper’s organization, structure, and content •Editing involves making sure your paper follows standard English and is free of grammatical and mechanical errors

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Editing in the Writing Process

Why is editing usually the last stage of the writing process?

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Editing in the Writing Process

Editing is the last stage of the writing process because during the revision stage there’s a good chance that you will delete entire sections of your work. Therefore, you don’t want to spend the time editing something that you’ll ultimately not use use anyway!

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Editing in the Writing Process

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Strategies for Editing

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Read your paper out loud

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Read your paper backwards: start with the last sentence to help you focus on grammar/mechanics as opposed to content

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Use an editing checklist

Common mistakes    

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Comma splices, run-ons, and fragments Subject/Verb Agreement Pronoun Agreement Apostrophes Semicolons That vs. Which (comma use) Punctuating Dependant Clauses Verb Tense Active/Passive Voice Spelling Capitalization

Click here for handouts that explain these concepts

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Common mistakes: Punctuating Dependant Clauses Dependant Clauses: a clause that depends on another another independent clause to form a complete sentence. Dependent clauses often start with one of the following subordinating words: Although, as, after, because, before, during, even though, if, since, when, while, When a sentence starts with one of these words, there will always be a comma in the middle of the sentence, separating the dependent clause from the independent clause: When I get home tonight, I’m going to eat dinner. If student want to get good grades, they should go to the Writing Center. Because I’m a student, I have to spend time studying.

Avoid the following mistakes: Although, I love to listen to music, attending concerts is too expensive. As I continue to take classes at LAVC I learn more about myself. Since most students care about their grades.

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Common Mistakes: That vs. Which The word “that” is usually used to introduce information that is essential to understanding the meaning of the sentence. The word “which” is usually used to introduce information that is extra detail; it’s not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

The lawnmower that is in the garage needs sharpening. We have more than one lawnmower. Only the one in the garage needs sharpening.

The lawnmower, which is in the garage, needs sharpening. We have only one lawnmower. It's in the garage and needs sharpening.

Remember to use a comma with “which” and no comma with “that.” http://web.ku.edu/~edit/vw.htm

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An Exercise for Your Practice

Practice editing with this exercise from CSU

Editing Checklist Editing Handout

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