Improvement and Revision of Written Work

Proofreading means putting writing under a microscope to identify and correct common errors. This includes
checking for simple typos, for example, typing form instead of from, but also correct sentences and using
the right words. The aim is to make your writing more presentable and reader friendly, eliminating mistakes
that jar the reader.

Editing refers to looking at the bigger picture: the overall organisation of a text, whether it moves smoothly
and logically from one paragraph to another.

It doesnt matter which you do first; some people find it easier to examine the macro and then the micro.
Others may find the opposite. Proofreading and editing shows that you are serious about what you do, and
you can expect it to be taken seriously.

General Tips
Read a printed copy, its easier to spot problems than on screen.
Read your work out loud to yourself. Some people even suggest reading it backwards!
Use a piece of paper to mask the text and read only one line at a time.
Go through the text several times; once to check at sentence level, then again for paragraph level,
then layout. Dont try to look for everything at once.
Ask someone you trust to read it. Try not to be too downhearted or defensive about their comments,
or theyll refuse to help you the next time.

Proofreading for common errors: by now, you will know from feedback from your tutor what kind of errors you
typically make. Some examples follow (all taken from students writing!)

1. Faulty agreement. The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in terms of
number and case.
X Trafficking illegal immigrants are against the law. Incorrect. The subject here is trafficking (i.e.
singular) not immigrants (plural).
Corrected. Trafficking illegal immigrants is against the law.
Check for the right word when using, e.g. much/many/few/less/a great deal of/ a large number of etc.
X The amount of people who were surveyed was significant. Incorrect.
Corrected. The number of people...

2. It is important to write in complete sentences and avoid sentence fragments.

Examples:
X Although in the early days video games were created for children and teenagers. Incorrect. although
links 2 clauses in a sentence. Here there is only one.
Corrected. Although in the early days video games were created for children and teenagers,
increasingly adults are the target audience.

X Also, to encourage people who suffer from allergies to seek help. Incorrect. Who or what is
encouraging people to seek help?
Corrected. Also, the aim of the programme is to encourage people who suffer from allergies to seek
help.

3. Run-on sentences are often a problem of faulty punctuation. Run-ons are caused
by using commas where a full stop should go (also known as comma splicing).

X The system of ID cards was estimated to cost 10.6b, the cost may be passed on through tax, this
becomes a burden to taxpayers. Incorrect
Corrected. The system of ID cards was estimated to cost 10.6b, which may be passed on through tax
and will become a burden to taxpayers. OR
The system of ID cards was estimated to cost 10.6b. This may be passed on through tax and will
become a burden to taxpayers.

4. Orphan pronouns.
X The ID card scheme could be exploited to monitor consumer habits. They have a great appetite for this
kind of data. Incorrect. They refers to someone. But who?

Proofreading and Editing 1

 5. Faulty parallels: forms of speech should be consistent or parallel, e.g.
X The elements of good essay writing are first, being critical in use of sources, second to develop a good
argument and third, present the work professionally.
Corrected: The elements of good essay writing are first, being critical in use of sources, second
developing a good argument and third, presenting the work professionally.

6. Faulty word choice. The spellchecker will not help you with confusion between
there/their, weather/whether, or its/its. (HINT its can only mean it is or it has use the full forms!).
There may be many words you think you know, but should double-check. Its good to be erudite, but
avoid being loquacious, superfluous or just plain erroneous.

7. Wordiness: using two or more words where one will do.

X This has caused much debate and discussion among individuals within society. Debate and
discussion are synonyms. In society today and among individuals are totally unnecessary. Cut, cut,
cut!

8. Repetition: check that you dont use the same word(s) too many times with no
variety (use a Thesaurus!), or paste a sentence more than once in different parts of the essay, by
mistake.

9. Dangling modifiers: e.g. X We observed the birds using binoculars. This sounds
silly. Birds do not use binoculars!
Corrected: With binoculars we observed the birds.

10. Misuse of the. A typical error is to miss the from phrases such as the
majority of.... See Purdues helpsheet on articles (the/an/a) at
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/ or The University of Sussexs Language Institute
handout at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/languages/1-6-8-7-4.html

11. While were about it, use gender-neutral language. Sentences such as
The tutor marks his essays according to specifically determined criteria assume that all tutors are male,
men. Sensitive writers avoid this by making the subject plural, e.g. Tutors mark their essays ....

12. Is the style appropriate? Have you avoided the use of contractions (isnt, cant etc), or addressing
the reader as you? See A Guide to Style in Academic Writing.

Our writing skills improve as a gradual process throughout our lives. Making mistakes is part of that
process. Focus on maximising your marks in assessments!

Editing

1. Read through the text paragraph by paragraph. Does each paragraph contain one whole idea? Make a
brief outline for the paper. Does it make sense? The reader must be able to see your main points and follow
your argument.

Ideally paragraphs start with a topic sentence to express the main idea. This sentence should be able to
stand on its own. Then that idea is developed with evidence. It is important to comment on the evidence
to show how it supports or develops the main idea. If appropriate, bring in other evidence (examples/ studies/
experiments/ interpretations) to widen the discussion. Look back to your topic sentence: how have you
moved on / developed the main idea in it? Where are you going next?

2. Are there any paragraphs which are too short (one or two sentences only) or too long? (3 paragraphs to
a page is about right). Dont have scrappy paragraphing dont start a new line unless starting a new
paragraph.

3. Does the essay or report have a central thesis? Is this summed up in a sentence in the introduction?

4. Does the introduction say what the paper will discuss and in what order?

5. Check the use of references in the text and at the end of the text. Do they match?
Check that the list of references is in alphabetical order. Still confused about the Harvard system? Click onto
the librarys site at http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-3687

Proofreading and Editing 2

6. The conclusion should sum up the main points you have made. A conclusion may indicate the way
forward, but not introduce new material.

Layout

7. Line spacing: the majority of assignments require 1.5 or double line spacing. The list of references at the
end of the document should be on a new page, in single line spacing with a line between each item.

8. Include a header or footer in a smaller font (as on this page) with your name, and insert page numbers.

9. Include a cover page with your name, title of assignment, name of tutor, electronic word count (if required),
and date.

Exercise 1. Which of these are complete sentences?

a) Although it would be beneficial to the public.

b) Whereas in the UK independent study is the emphasis.
c) Understanding the mental states of others, and realising they can differ from our own, is known as theory
of mind.
d) For example, the increase in the cost of the project.
e) And outlines seven key recommendations.
f) Anti-biotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA tend to be associated with hospitals.
g) By moving computing online.
h) If students can adapt themselves to the new system and be aware of difficulties that might happen during
their studies

Exercise 2. Identify and correct the errors that follow in these extracts.

a) Computer games are widely used, as it helps people relax.

b) Women nowadays seems to have higher expectations...
c) However, in the western educational system they encourage students to be creative and think with
their own brains.
d) There are many effective ways to study: improvement in ability in English, acquiring detailed
information, adjust for the new environment, and handling stress.
e) Concerns have raised in recent years....
f) Due to deforestation there are less trees to absorb C0 2.
g) Objective criteria was used to identify performance...
h) But evidences show that this might not be true...
i) This article is basically based on many concepts and ideas.
j) Surveys maybe used to assess the effectiveness of the scheme.
k) PCs in the 1990s had more limited functions.
l) Proofread carefully to see if you any words out
m) If you re-read your work, you may find on reading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by
re-reading and editing.

Exercise 3
Proofread the following text for errors. There is one mistake in each line (e.g. spelling, misuse of
punctuation, wrong form of a word, or wrong linking word. Underline the mistake and write the correct version
in the column on the right.

In most capital citys which were built long before the invention of 1. cities
private cars, their is rarely enough space for moving traffic, and 2.
certainly not enough for parked vehicles. Encouraging more comuters 3.
to abandon public transport and banning private vehicles form some 4.
areas may help, but such solutions does not actually diminish the number 5.
of cars coming into the city centre. However, some argue that the 6.
congestion charge has now failed in London because it has not acheived 7.
it's purpose of traffic reduction. A cultural shift is needed for the motoring 8.
public to realise what the private car does not have number one priority. 9.
The city should be a focus for business and social life not for traffic. 10.

Proofreading and Editing 3

Exercise 4

Proofread the paragraph for errors what kind of error is each one? (There are at least 20 errors)

According to Hillier (1997) several advantage of internet use in education have been documented. Firstly, is

seen as more economically, in that once a course is prepared, it can be used by a big numbers of students.

The savings made by not to have to employ so many teacher should be reflected in cheaper course fees.

The secondly benefit and advantage is the convenience; instead of having to attend classes at fixed times

and places, he is free to study at a time of his choosing and consequently progress at her own pace.

Furthermore, unlike in the case of traditional education, studying from home removes the need to travel to a

college or university, as result saving both time and cash. Furthermore Hillier he then cites the example of a

student living in a small town in China who can now study a course at a British university without the worry of

travelling, to find accommodation or homesick. In our modern society there seem to be many people who are

unable, either through work commitments or not enough of funds, to attend classes, and who logically would

clearly find internet learning benefit.

Common Errors Detector

This program will output your text with the errors highlighted, and comments and explanations to help you
solve the problems

Academic style, vocabulary and grammar errors that this program looks for are:
a bit..., a lot of , a number of + singular, a really... , abroad/aboard, accompany with, According to my opinion,
advices, air-condition, all in all, Although & but in same sentence, always, And, and so on, appeared (passive
voice), apply (for) a job, are lacking of, are no need to, as follow, as we all know, As/Because/Since/Due to &
so/therefore in same sentence, At last, barbeque, be occurred, before. , beside, besides, between, beyond a
shadow of a doubt, broadcasted, can't, come up with, cons, consider to, contractions, crystal clear, didn't,
different + singular, difficult/hard/easy (for me/you/him etc) to analysis, discuss about, don't, e.g. ... etc.,
equipments, etc., every + plural, every coin has two sides, evidences, exclamation marks, find out, first and
foremost, For (topicalisation), for examples, form, furthermore, go back, go up, go up and down, golden
opportunity, heated debate, help out, I am agree with you, I am very boring, I born(ed), I've, in a nutshell, in
details, in mainland, in my opinions, in the internet, in the web, informations, it is because, it is due to, it's,
last but not least, let's, lots of, moreover, no any, no enough, non-specific verbs; e.g. get and put, not many,
not much, on the other hand, paces, phrasal verbs, pros, recommend to + infinitive, Reference:, Regarding
to, researches, rhetorical questions, set up, staffs, suggest to + infinitive, take care (of) your..., talk about, the
another, the choosing, there have, they are difficult to, they are easy to, uncountable nouns used as plurals,
updated, variety of + singular, very advance, will lack of, won't, words that need hedging, you

http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/errordetector.htm

Proofreading and Editing 4

Answers to Exercise 1. Which of these are complete sentences?

a) Although it would be beneficial to the public. No

b) Whereas in the UK independent study is the emphasis No.
c) Understanding the mental states of others, and realising they can differ from our own, is known as theory
of mind. Yes
d) For example, the increase in the cost of the project. No
e) And outlines seven key recommendations. No
f) Anti-biotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA tend to be associated with hospitals. Yes
g) By moving computing online. No
h) If students can adapt themselves to the new system and be aware of difficulties that might happen during
their studies. No

Answers to Exercise 2. Corrected sentences:

a) Computer games are widely used, as they help people relax.

b) Women nowadays seem to have higher expectations...
c) However, in the western educational system students are encouraged to be creative and [to] think
with their own brains.
d) There are many effective ways to study: improving ability in English, acquiring detailed information,
adjusting for the new environment, and handling stress.
e) Concerns have risen in recent years....
f) Due to deforestation there are fewer trees to absorb C02.
g) Objective criteria were used to identify performance...
h) But evidence shows that this might not be true...
i) This article is based on many ideas.
j) Surveys may be used to assess the effectiveness of the scheme.
k) PCs in the 1990s had more limited functions.
l) Proofread carefully to see if you missed any words out
m) If you re-read your work you may find a great deal of repetition can be avoided.

Answers to Exercise 3

In most capital citys which were built long before the invention of 1. cities
private cars, their is rarely enough space for moving traffic, and 2. there
certainly not enough for parked vehicles. Encouraging more comuters 3. commuters
to abandon public transport and banning private vehicles form some 4. from
areas may help, but such solutions does not actually diminish the number 5. do
of cars coming into the city centre. However, some argue that the 6. Indeed/ In
fact
congestion charge has now failed in London because it has not acheived 7. achieved
it's purpose of traffic reduction. A cultural shift is needed for the motoring 8. its
public to realise what the private car does not have number one priority. 9. that
The city should be a focus for business and social life not for traffic. 10. life,

Answers to Exercise 4

According to Hillier (1997) several advantages faulty agreement of internet use in education have been documented.
Firstly, it is subject missing seen as more economically economical, wrong part of speech in that once a course is
prepared, it can be used by large big informal language numbers of students. The savings made by not to have wrong
verb form having to employ so many teachers plural should be reflected in cheaper course fees. The secondly wrong
part of speech benefit and advantage wordiness is the no article convenience; instead of having to attend classes at
fixed times and places, students he unbound pronoun / not gender neutral are free to study at a time of her their wrong
pronoun choosing and consequently progress at their as before own pace. Furthermore, unlike in the case of traditional
education, studying from home removes the need to travel to a college or university, as a missing article result saving
both time and cash informal not a collocation money. Furthermore, repetition Hillier he repeated subject then cites the
example of a student living in a small town in China who can now study a course at a British university without the worry
of travelling, to find finding accommodation or being homesick. faulty parallels In our personal language modern society
there seems to be many people who are unable, either through work commitments or not enough informal not a
collocation a lack of funds, to attend classes, and who logically unnecessary word would clearly find internet learning
benefit wrong part of speech beneficial.

Proofreading and Editing 5