SS S4_p6_editing and proof reading pdf

Copyright © May 2014, Montessori Centre Interna7onal

Editing and Proof reading

Copyright © May 2014, Montessori Centre International

Wait!

� Try and leave a gap of at least a day between finishing your essay and proof reading/editing

� Create some distance

� Be able to see what you actually wrote


Editing your draft

� Have I addressed the essay title and guidelines?

� Have I left anything out? � Is there anything I don’t need? – be ruthless!

� If it doesn’t add anything to the line of argument don’t use it.


Paragraphs

� Read each paragraph – what is the main topic for each, sum it up in as few words as possible

� Which is your topic sentence? – highlight it, is it at the start of the paragraph?

� Is everything relevant? – circle anything you are not sure of, you might want to move it. Cross out anything that is irrelevant.


Structure

�  Is everything in the right place? Have bits wandered into other paragraphs? Highlight anything that might have gone astray.

� Are sentences in the right order? Is it clear how each sentence leads on to the next?

�  Is the line or argument clear? Is it clear how each paragraph relates to the others and leads into the next?

�  Is every paragraph relevant to the title? � Does it make sense? Read it aloud slowly � Evidence – have you used examples, details and/or research?


Referencing

� Is the source of your information clear?

� Are your quotations accurate? � Are references written correctly?


Sentences

� Are the sentences the right length? �  If you can’t read a sentence all the way through, keeping the meaning, try cutting it into two sentences.

�  If you pause and there is not comma or full stop, check to see what is needed.

� Use short sentences to draw attention to key ideas or statements.


Style

�  Is the text easy to read? Is your style too chatty? A bit pompous?

‘the writer is out of order to suggest that’

‘the argument was a bit over the top’

� Avoid generalisations or assumptions

� Be precise e.g. Avoid ‘some people’ (who?) or ‘at the time’ (when?)


Check the tone of your writing

Personal writing

� Active voice – I find that

� Subjective � Can be intuitive

Academic writing

� Passive voice – It was found that

� Objective

� Uses reasoning and evidence


Proof reading

� Use spell check and grammar check -‐ but remember they will not pick up everything! (N.B make sure you are not on American spelling)

� To find alternative words try right clicking on the word and look at ‘synonyms’

� Find a proof-‐reading ‘buddy’


Things to avoid

� contractions don’t, can’t, hasn’t � bullet points � subheadings �  lists (always use full sentences)

� bold �  italics � Abbreviations e.g. or i.e. � Starting a sentence with or, and, but or yet


Formatting

�  Header -‐ include your name, your student number, your tutor and the assessment code (e.g. Study Skills 1A)

�  Number your pages in a footer

�  Double space your text �  Extra line between paragraphs

�  Leave wide margins left, right, top and bottom (approx 3 cm)

�  Use a standard font in 12 point size �  Bibliography on separate page at the end


Copyright © May 2014, Montessori Centre Interna7onal

Date post:	25-Dec-2014
Category:	Education
Upload:	montessori-centre-international
View:	229 times
Download:	4 times

SS S4_p6_editing and proof reading pdf

Education