Editing and ProofreadingAbraham Lincoln High School

English Department

Mr. Gallegos

Time to Prepare for Publication

There comes a point in any writing project when you must prepare for publication. It is time to edit and proofread your revised writing so that it speaks clearly and accurately. Your first main concern when editing is to replace any words, phrases, and sentences that sound awkward or confusing. Then you should check your writing for spelling, usage, mechanics, and grammar errors.

Necessary Editing Tools

• Dictionary• Thesaurus• Computer Spell Checker• Editing Checklist• Proofreading Checklist• Grammar Manuals• MLA/APA format books

Cut, Clarify, Condense• CUT: If you find a section in your writing that seems

unnecessary or wordy, put brackets around it. If you later decide this section is definitely unneeded, cut it.

• CLARIFY: If you see something confusing or unclear in your writing, put a wavy line under it. Then, when you go back to this section, reword it or add to it.

• CONDENSE: If you come across part of your writing that is wordy or over-explained, put a set of parenthesis around it. Rewrite this section so that it reads more simply and clearly.

Testing Your Sentences• In the side column, write all of the opening words in your sentences. Decide whether or not you used some words too often. Change them if you need to.

• In another side column, look at the verbs you used. Did you use them too often? Some verbs that are often overused are-is, are, see, and look.

• Identify the number of words in each sentence. Determine if you used a variety of sentences!