Step 5: Revising drafts, editing and proofreading
Editing is one of the most important steps in your writing. Remember that when you read academic papers, these papers have gone through many, many rounds of editing!
Good editing means checking:
- writing clarity
- overall structure
- argument flow
- whether you have addressed what has been asked
Sometimes reading your draft aloud or having someone read it aloud to you can help you find errors, such as complicated sentences, or awkward grammar. You could also use Read & Write to read your work aloud to you to make sure your writing is clear.
Proofreading
This final step is important and often overlooked. If your paper is not proofread, it reduces the quality of the writing. A lecturer once commented that the difference between a B and an A marked essay is sometimes a solid day of proofreading.
Proofreading means checking for:
- spelling mistakes
- word choice mistakes
- grammar mistakes.
Make sure to leave yourself time for this last step. Since it requires a critical eye, it is helpful to leave your final draft for at least 24 hours before proofreading. When you are too familiar with your writing, you might not see the mistakes.
Activity
The following activity will guide you through the editing and proofreading process.