A Quick And Dirty Editing Checklist
Still can’t figure out what you should be doing during the editing stage of your essay? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem. After all, after working your ass off doing research and putting together a draft, the last thing you want is to have to do more work. Most of the time, the mind just resists it.
Here’s a quick guideline, though, to make it a little less difficult.
1. Fix your spelling and grammar with an English writing software. Why waste more time doing it manually when an automated tool can easily get the job done?
2. Read it aloud to discover awkward phrases and punctuations.
3. Check each sentence for a subject and make sure it agrees with the verb.
4. Check the verb tenses for each sentence. Is it uniform throughout the piece?
5. Identify the topic sentence in each paragraph. If you catch more than one, you might want to consider splitting them up.
6. Check your supporting statements, making sure they all lead to boosting up your main idea.
7. Check how your one idea leads to another. There should be a logical relationship that bridges them.
8. Make sure that you close strongly. The first and the last paragraphs will leave the most lasting impressions on your reader. Do them right and you have a chance at fostering a strong effect.