Quick Guide: Editing your work (Higher Ed version) LEARNING AND ACADEMIC SKILLS RESOURCES

Introduction Useful Links:

You have researched the topic, prepared an outline, and have written your assignment. But wait! http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=ezI42BqJ4d4
Before handing it in, give yourself time to review your writing. This short presentation shows you how to revise your work in three stages.***

Editing your own work is difficult, but necessary. It is best to leave time between finishing your http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/690/
writing and starting your editing. Make your own editing checklist using the items under ‘key A clear guide to the two levels of revision; the ‘big picture’ and the ‘particular details’.
points’ as a start. Then refer to the marking guide (or assessment criteria) for the particular
This is a resource for students writing longer essays.**
assignment to add other items to your checklist.

Key points Editing checklist: An example

First, look at the overall structure and organisation of your assignment. Make sure you have: Structure
 • an introduction that tells your reader what the assignment is about Introduction My introduction tells the reader what the essay/report is about
 • separate paragraphs for each main idea Each paragraph has a topic sentence which introduces the rest of the paragraph
 • paragraphs that follow a logical order Paragraphs There is a new paragraph for each main idea
 • a conclusion that reminds your reader of the main points
The paragraphs follow on from each other in a logical order
 • a list of references for the sources you have used in your work
Conclusion My conclusion summarises the main points
Second, inspect your writing in detail. Citations used throughout the assignment are set out correctly e.g (Smith, 2015)
 • Use computer-based spelling and grammar checks to identify errors. The List of References at the end of the assignment is complete, with correct use
 • Use a dictionary to double-check the meaning of any words you are not sure of References of the relevant referencing system (e.g. APA; Harvard)
 • Be sure you have used technical words from the subject correctly Check the Swinburne Library guide:
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/library/referencing/
 • Trust your ears. Reading out loud shows up repetition, punctuation and other problems
Language
Try this: I have read my written piece aloud to see where to stop or pause for full stops,
Punctuation question marks, exclamation marks, and commas.
Step 1 Print out a copy of the attached checklist I have included quotation marks where needed.
Capital Letters I have used capital letters for proper noun
Step 2 Add to the checklist to make a guide for a particular assessment task. Read the ‘Assessment
Grammar My sentences are complete thoughts and contain a noun and a verb.
 criteria’ (marking guide) listed in the unit outline and add them to your checklist.
Spelling I have checked my spelling and fixed the words that don’t look right
Step 3 Print out a hard copy of your assignment. Let it lie for a day or so – if you have time. Assignment assessment criteria
(add these from the guidelines set out for the particular assignment)
Step 4 Read through your work several times, checking it against each point in your checklist. Criterion 1: Relevant literature has been selected for discussion
 Make any necessary changes to your work. Literature
review section The literature is summarised clearly, with identification of key debates
Step 5 Hand in your assignment confident that it is a professionally-presented piece of work!
Criterion 2: Brief outlining of method used in the study
Findings sec-
An additional technique is to work with a classmate to review each other’s work. Clear organisation of findings, with identification of main themes
tion
Step 6 Consult on the checklist and exchange work with each other. Think about how you can
 provide constructive feedback to each other. Criterion 3: Effective linking of findings to the literature
Discussion
section Discussion of main implications of the study
Good luck

© Swinburne University of Technology 2016 - CRICOS Provider 00111D swinburne.edu.au/las [email protected] twitter.com/las_centre
 Editing checklist

Structure Yes No Comments

Introduction My introduction tells the reader what the essay/report is about
Paragraphs Each paragraph has a topic sentence which introduces the rest of the paragraph
There is a new paragraph for each main idea
The paragraphs follow on from each other in a logical order
Conclusion My conclusion summarises the main points
References Citations used throughout the assignment are set out correctly e.g (Smith, 2015)
The List of References at the end of the assignment is complete, with correct use of the relevant referencing
system (e.g. APA; Harvard)
Check the Swinburne Library guide: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/library/referencing/
Language
Punctuation I have read my written piece aloud to see where to stop or pause for full stops, question marks, exclamation
marks, and commas.
I have included quotation marks where needed.
Capital Letters I have used capital letters for proper noun
Grammar My sentences are complete thoughts and contain a noun and a verb.
Spelling I have checked my spelling and fixed the words that don’t look right
Assignment assessment criteria (add these from the guidelines set out for the particular assignment)
Criterion 1:

Criterion 2:

Criterion 3:

Additional work to do:

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