Notes

Outline

Proofreading, Editing and Revising Customized & Workplace Training Portland Community College Facilitated by George Knox

Proofreading Proof at least twice Content (purpose, meaning, accuracy, emphasis, tone) Mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, document design) Mark errors, don’t fix them Organize your approach to proofing Proof in “chunks” Read silently and aloud Checklist?

Revising Strategies Focus Clarify introduction of main “thesis” Check for competing ideas Delete unnecessary text Content Emphasize main ideas Add facts, details, examples, definitions Rethink central argument/insight Point of View Maintain consistency Change POV?

Revising Strategies (Cont.) Organization Add/sharpen topic sentences Move blocks of text Re-paragraph Audience Appeal Use appropriate tone/language Let the readers know why they are reading Motivate the readers to read on The “Rule of Ones”

Editing Strategies: Movement Check paragraphs Topic sentence followed by support sentences Transitional sentences/phrases Arrange paragraphs appropriately Time (chronological, narrative, process) Space (descriptive, setting) Dramatic (build to climax, back load) Logic (argument, essay) Link ideas

Editing Strategies: Linking Ideas Use key words Repetition Variety Maintain parallel structures Similar info presented in similar ways “Visual” balance Check for consistent style Between paragraphs/chapters/sections Subject identity Perspective

Editing Strategies: Transitions Use “roadmap” sentences/paragraphs Choose appropriate phrases Addition (and, also, further, in addition to, moreover, next, too) Compare (also, in the same manner, in this way, like, likewise, similarly) Contrast (although, but, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, still) Summary (In conclusion, in other words, in short, therefore, to sum up) Relation [time, order, place] (after, as, during, finally, later, when, first, second, next, last, above, beyond, farther on, near, opposite) Logic (as a result, consequently, if, since, so, therefore, thus)

Editing Strategies: Sentence Level Correct grammar Sentence fragments Run-on sentence (fused, comma splice) Subject-Verb agreement Pronoun references and agreement Misused modifiers Active vs. passive voice Correct spelling and punctuation

Formatting Text 10-12 point type (body text) Serif vs. San Serif Consistent type styles (“Magic 3”) Bold/italics to emphasize Avoid all capitals Ragged right – justified left margins Text boxes, large size, color for emphasis