The Essay Editing Process

You'll gain easy marks if you take the time to edit your essay. This is your chance to make sure you're handing in your best possible work. In this section you'll find out about: 1).Reviewing structure 2).Editing paragraphs 3).Proofreading 4).Tidy presentation. Review the structure Once you've written your essay, it's important to put it aside for a few days – if you have time – to get some distance. A bit of space helps you view your work objectively. The most effective way to edit is to read your work a few times, focusing on different elements each time. On your first read, think about the essay as a whole. Ask yourself: - Is the reader left with one clear message when they finish reading? - Is that message what I really want to say? - Does my essay have a clear introduction, body and conclusion? - Have I covered all the points in my plan? - Is my argument convincing? - Do I contradict myself at all? - Does my writing flow well? And, most importantly: - Have I answered the question? Edit paragraphs On your second read, look at each paragraph in turn. First, look at your introduction and ask: - Is my argument clear? - Does it answer the essay question? - Have I included any necessary background information? Then, look at the body of the essay and ask: - Is each paragraph about one idea? - Does each paragraph have a topic sentence describing the point of that paragraph? - Is there at least one clear example in each paragraph? - Do examples relate to the point they're meant to illustrate? - Do I explain each example and link to the next paragraph? - Have I used a variety of sources? - Do paragraphs fit together in a way that makes sense? - Does every paragraph add to, and relate back to, my argument? Finally, look at your conclusion and ask: - Does it summarize the key points in my essay? - Does it link back to the introduction? - Does it drive home my argument? - Have I made sure there are no new ideas in my conclusion? Proofread The last part of the editing process is checking things like spelling and punctuation – this is called proofreading. When you're proofreading, look at: - pelling – your computer's spell checker doesn't catch everything - grammar – make sure your sentences make sense - punctuation – check for full stops, capital letters, quote marks etc. - clarity – every sentence should say something new and relevant to your argument. If not, cut it. Tidy your work By presenting your work neatly, you're doing your work justice and giving yourself the best possible chance of doing well. Remember to: - type your work in an easy-to-read font, like Arial or Times New Roman - use large margins and double spacing so your marker has room to write notes - print on one side to avoid written comments showing through - only include pictures if you've been asked to - include page numbers and your name in the footer - make sure you've referenced correctly and included a bibliography.


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