Editing the final version
Editing your writing is a very important part of the writing process. Whatever
our writing task, it is always important that we edit a final version to ensure
that it is the best we can produce and that it is error free.
In general, editing the final draft means reading it carefully and asking yourself
whether it really has achieved its purpose and whether it answers the question.
It also means specific checking, for example, for typographical and spelling errors.
It is important to print out a copy of your work and edit the hard copy. Editing
solely on the computer screen is rarely successful. It does not allow you to view
the whole piece of work, and it is unwise to rely on spell or grammar check provided
by your computers. Most have American spelling, and none can detect "hidden"
errors. For example, you may have wanted to write One possible explanation…
but instead wrote On possible explanation… .
Below is a check-list that is designed to help you edit your final draft. We
recommend that you systematically go through this check-list, asking yourself
each of the following questions, taking the relevant action, and finally ticking
each off as you have completed it.
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Questions
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Actions
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Have I answered the question?
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- Check the task words, content words and limiting words
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Is my written piece of work appropriate for the audience?
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- Check technical language and terms
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Is my argument clear and persuasive?
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- Check whether you have developed the rationale
- Check whether you have enough supporting research evidence
and whether it is relevant
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Does any point need elaboration?
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- Ensure the point you are making is clear
- If it is not, you need to break it down and provide more
support/evidence
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Are my paragraphs coherent and clearly connected?
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- Check whether you have a topic sentence and elaboration within each paragraph
- Check that you have used transitional signals well
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Is my work structured appropriately?
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- Check the format of the written piece of work (e.g., laboratory report, critical
review, essay)
- Check what needs to be in each section
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Have I "proof read" my work?
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- As you read, ask yourself, Have I said what I mean?, and Do I mean
what I say?
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Have I referenced everything?
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- Make sure you have cited and referenced each source and have quoted correctly
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Have I checked the spelling?
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Have I checked the grammar?
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- Read carefully through your draft
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Well done! You have completed the final module in the Writing
Workshop. We hope you have found it useful. If you would like to review any of
the material in specific topics, please go to individual modules from the Plan
page.
We would love to have feedback on your experience with the Workshop.
If you have any comments please email Lidija Krebs-Lazendic, UNSW School of Psychology.
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