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The Writing Center Presents:

The Writing Center Presents:. Editing Developed by Joy N. Patterson. Editing. Once you have revised a draft for content and organization, it’s time to look closely at your sentences and words. Turning a “blah” sentence into a memorable one or finding exactly the right word to express a

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The Writing Center Presents:

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  1. The Writing Center Presents: Editing Developed by Joy N. Patterson

  2. Editing Once you have revised a draft for content and organization, it’s time to look closely at your sentences and words. Turning a “blah” sentence into a memorable one or finding exactly the right word to express a thought can result in writing that is really worth reading.

  3. Cohesion • Check the connections between sentences • If you need to signal the relationship from one sentence to the next, use a transitional word or phrase.

  4. Check Your Sentences • If you noticed that a sentence was hard to understand or didn’t sound right when you read your paper aloud, think about how you might rephrase it. • Often you can pick up problems with verbs, pronouns, and modifiers by reading aloud.

  5. Vary Sentence Length • If a sentence is too long, break it into two or more sentences. • If you notice a string of short sentences that sound choppy, combine them.

  6. Varying Sentence Openings • Vary sentence openings by beginning with • a dependent clause, • a phrase, and adverb, • a conjunctive adverb, or • a coordinating conjunction.

  7. Examine Language Examine tone for slang, jargon, emotional language, and your level of formality.

  8. EliminateWordiness • Look for long expressions that can easily be shortened • (“at this point in time” –“now”) • Remove unnecessary repetition • Remove unnecessary qualifiers • (rather, very, somewhat, little)

  9. Use Action Verbs • Any time you can use a verb besides a form of be (is, are, was, were) or a verb ending in –ing, take advantage of the opportunity to make your style more lively. • Sentences that begin with “There is (are)” and “It is” often have better alternatives.

  10. Use Specific and Inclusive Language • As you read, stay alert for any vague words or phrases. • Check to make sure you have used inclusive language throughout.

  11. Study Word Choice • Are the nouns primarily abstract and general or concrete and specific? Too many abstract and general nouns can result in boring prose. • How many verbs are forms of be- be, am, is are, was, were, being, been? If be verbs account for more than a third of your total verbs, you are probably overusing them.

  12. All Information Obtained From Lunsford, Andrea A. The Everyday Writer. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004.

  13. The Writing Center Contact Info Prairie View A&M University Writing Center Hilliard Hall, Room 118 (936) 261- 3724 • writingcenter@pvamu.edu • http://www.pvamu.edu/pages/4399.asp

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