revising and editing adapted from pwo by sladow and nkerns
DESCRIPTION
Revising and Editing Pattern ProofreadRevisionEditing Edit Proofread ReviseTRANSCRIPT
Revising and EditingRevising and Editing
Adapted from Adapted from PWOPWO by sladow and nkerns by sladow and nkerns
Revising and EditingRevising and EditingThree levels:Three levels: TopTop SectionSection SentenceSentence
Revising and Editing PatternRevising and Editing PatternProofreadProofreadRevisionRevisionEditingEditing
The Top LevelThe Top LevelExamine the title, overview and Examine the title, overview and
headings. They should answer the headings. They should answer the following questions:following questions:
Is it clear what the document is about?Is it clear what the document is about? Is it clear what the document is doing?Is it clear what the document is doing? Is it clear where I should read if I only Is it clear where I should read if I only
want a certain section of the report?want a certain section of the report?
Top Level ChallengesTop Level Challenges RhetoricalRhetorical StructuralStructural
Top Level: Rhetorical IssuesTop Level: Rhetorical IssuesProblemProblem Isn’t clear what the problem is…why is Isn’t clear what the problem is…why is
this report being written?this report being written? The answers don’t work/make senseThe answers don’t work/make sense Misses the real issueMisses the real issueArgumentArgument Isn’t convincingIsn’t convincing Isn’t clearIsn’t clear Neglects audienceNeglects audience
Top Level: Structural Top Level: Structural ProblemsProblems
Executive SummaryExecutive Summary Doesn’t provide main pointsDoesn’t provide main points Doesn’t provide an overview Doesn’t provide an overview Doesn’t outline the reason Doesn’t outline the reason
for writing/problemfor writing/problem
BackgroundBackground Doesn’t establish historyDoesn’t establish history Doesn’t give any prior Doesn’t give any prior
actionsactions
DiscussionDiscussion Doesn’t expand on main Doesn’t expand on main
pointspoints Doesn’t provide Doesn’t provide
details/evidencedetails/evidence Doesn’t have proper Doesn’t have proper
sourcessources
Top Level: Structural Top Level: Structural ProblemsProblems
ConclusionConclusion Doesn’t wrap upDoesn’t wrap up Doesn’t have any finalityDoesn’t have any finality
OrganizationOrganization Lacks organization overallLacks organization overall Has misplaced headingsHas misplaced headings Doesn’t logically flowDoesn’t logically flow
Top Level: Problems with Top Level: Problems with VisualsVisuals
Fonts/ColorFonts/Color Inconsistent use of fonts throughout Inconsistent use of fonts throughout
documentdocument Inconsistent use of color for headers or boxes Inconsistent use of color for headers or boxes
(if applicable)(if applicable)Visuals/GraphsVisuals/Graphs Not clearly markedNot clearly marked Have nothing to do with the pointHave nothing to do with the point In the wrong sectionIn the wrong section Hard to see/read/understandHard to see/read/understand
The Section LevelThe Section LevelLook at your headings and sections:Look at your headings and sections: Are they in the conventional order?Are they in the conventional order? Are they divided logically?Are they divided logically? Do they contain a guiding/topic Do they contain a guiding/topic
sentence that clarifies what section sentence that clarifies what section is about?is about?
Section Level ProblemsSection Level ProblemsRhetoricalRhetorical Heading and opening (topic sentence) misleadingHeading and opening (topic sentence) misleading Inappropriate information or visualsInappropriate information or visuals Design misleading; e.g. emphasize less important Design misleading; e.g. emphasize less important
criteriacriteriaStructuralStructural Section out of conventional orderSection out of conventional order Heading has nothing to do with the sectionHeading has nothing to do with the section Material not covered in depthMaterial not covered in depth Color inconsistentColor inconsistent
Paragraph and Sentence Paragraph and Sentence LevelLevel
Do you have to reread a sentence?Do you have to reread a sentence? Would your audience understand Would your audience understand
your lingo/terminology?your lingo/terminology? Are sentences long, with several Are sentences long, with several
clauses? Consider breaking them clauses? Consider breaking them downdown
Sentence Level ChallengesSentence Level Challenges FragmentsFragments Run-onsRun-ons Subject/Verb AgreementSubject/Verb Agreement Missing parallelismMissing parallelism Inappropriate or missing punctuationInappropriate or missing punctuation SpellingSpelling
Revising and Editing Wrap Revising and Editing Wrap UpUp
Top-level down is the most effective Top-level down is the most effective order (top level/section order (top level/section level/sentence level)level/sentence level)
Spelling and grammar check Spelling and grammar check essentialessential
Format check for document and Format check for document and sourcessources