The Writing Process:

Revising, Editing and

Proofreading
Student Development Services
Writing Support Centre
UCC 210
www.sds.uwo.ca/writing

Outline

An Editors Mindset
Revising
Editing
Proofreading

An Editors Mindset
Essential component of the writing
process
Similar to, yet different from, drafting
Same goals
Usually a different process
Polishing rather than creating
Depends if editing for yourself or a peer

Self Editing Issues

Give yourself some space...

...But not too much
Learn your tendencies
What are your goals?

Peer Editing Issues

Degree of help needed

Amount of time before submission
Balance criticisms with compliments

Procuring Peer Editors

Writers need readers

Good editors are worth their weight
in gold
Dont abuse them; give them your
best work

Layers of Effective
Writing
4- Content

Rewriting

3- Organization

Revising

2- Style

Editing

1- Appearance

Proofreading

Revising For
Organization

Moving around and adding/removing

major pieces of text
Most important aspect
Hard, but rewarding

1: Elements of the
Text

Thesis
Statement/Hypothesis/Objectives
Introduction/Conclusion
Topic Sentences

2: Logical Flow

Linear process:

A B C D

Does the content build on itself?

3: DisciplineSpecific Conventions

Rules that are not to be violated

E.g. No results in methods,
discussion in results (Sciences)

4: Audience
Appropriateness

Will the content be clear for the

intended audience?

Revising Yourself

A detached perspective is essential

Get to the essence of the text

Revising Peers

Keep a safe distance

Ask specific questions, dont
rewrite

Procuring Peers

Within-discipline peers are most

helpful
Outside-discipline peers may need
help

Editing for Style

Micro-logical aspects of the text

Is this readable?
What style is appropriate?
Do the sentences flow?

Clarity

If it can be misinterpreted, it is
wrong
Make changes to vague, absolute,
misleading, and commonly
misinterpreted words

Conciseness

If words or phrases can be removed

while maintaining meaning, do it
Change passive voice, negative form

General Editing Tips

Read aloud
Hard copy vs. Electronic
Tracking changes

Tracking Changes

Editing Yourself

Again, time and space is essential

Learn your tendencies

Editing Your Peers

Edit, dont rewrite

Keep the spirit, just play with the
words

Procuring Peer Editors

Within discipline: Help with

discipline-specific terminology
Outside of discipline: Wont get
distracted by content

Proofreading for
Appearance
Grammar, spelling, formatting
Spellcheck and grammar check are not
enough
Read each word and sentence
carefully
Usually the last step

Proofreading Yourself

Best results when rested

Learn your common mistakes
Last thing you do before handing in
or submitting

Proofreading Your
Peers

Only if other aspects are clean

Point out repeated mistakes
Can feel like piling on

Procuring Proofreading
Peers
Within-Discipline: Can be a waste
Outside-Discipline:
Anal retentive friends
Essential for ESL students

General Proofreading
Tips
Read aloud
Read backwards
Watch every comma (and other
punctuation)
Hard copy vs. Electronic

Final Notes

Take a break in the middle

Review multiple drafts
Be nice to your editors