Writers Reference book - Stages of The Writing Process

The revision process is never over. Even published writers often want to have one more chance to edit their already printed material. However, editing is one of the most neglected stages of the writing process.

To be a successful writer, good editing skills are required. A writer must have the ability to step back from the paper and see that there is more than one way to write any sentence or organize an essay. However, knowing grammatical rules and being open to alternate forms of organization can be difficult for many writers. It is important to seek help in the editing stage if you need help with standard grammatical and conventional mechanics or finding an alternative method for organizing your topic.

Techniques for revising:

· Print out your paper

· Read aloud or have a friend read your essay to you to catch problems such as the flow breaking, awkward sentences, and errors

· Read the essay backward and analyze sentences as separate entities

· Plug paragraphs into the outline to see if your organization is correct

· Use spell and grammar check. Be aware though, this will not catch the writer who writes “do” instead of “due”

· Look for places where you can cut excess words. Try using as few words as possible to express your point.

What to Consider:

When editing, make sure that you are using clear and concise language. Consider if all your words are necessary.

Are some lofty?
Do you keep writing “utilize” instead of “use?”
Are you leaving in some sentences just because they sound smart, even if they fail to move the text along?
Are you starting all sentences the same way?
Do your sentence patterns vary?
Is there subject-verb agreement throughout your essay?

Try to avoid writing, “I think” and using the word “very” to emphasize your point. Do not change verb tenses throughout an essay, and try to avoid passive voice.