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QUT Library
Editing and
Proofreading
Editing and Proofreading
1
Editing and Proofreading
This presentation is an overview of how to edit and proofread your assignments.
Word
choice
Content
Sources
Editing
Style
Editing and Proofreading
Structure
Spelling
Proofreading
Grammar
Punctuation
2
Editing and Proofreading
Take time to revise your assignment—edit and proofread
Just as a good photo can be enhanced on
the computer to make it look great...
...a great assignment is written
in multiple drafts.
Editing and Proofreading
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Editing looks at the
essay as a w hole
Editing and Proofreading
Proofreading looks
at the details
4
Before you start revising:
Get some distance
Leave it for a day after you have
finished the first draft
Find a quiet place
Find a quiet place
Do one section at time
Find a quiet place
Get someone else to read
your work
Change the look
Change the font, line
spacing or size
Change the look
Editing and Proofreading
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Editing
Content
Sources
Editing
Structure
Style
Editing and Proofreading
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Content
Content
Editing
1. Re-read
 Your assignment sheet
 Your criteria (or CRA) sheet
 Other information from your lecturer /
tutor
2. Check that you have specifically answered the
question and completed all tasks
3. Write a checklist of all the requirements of
your assignment and tick off each item as you
complete them
Editing and Proofreading
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Structure
Editing
Introduction
Body
Structure
Conclusion
The structure should
be outlined
Summarize the main
point of your assignment
State your thesis
Editing and Proofreading
The scope (or limits)
should be explained
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Structure
Editing
Introduction
Body
Structure
Conclusion
Each paragraph should
develop only one idea
which is stated in the topic
sentence
All points made should be
supported by evidence
Editing and Proofreading
Linking words or phrases
should be used to create
flow between paragraphs
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Structure
Editing
Introduction
Body
Structure
Conclusion
The points in the body of
your assignment should
be summarised
Repeat the main point of
the assignment
Restate your thesis
Editing and Proofreading
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Academic Style
Write in the third person
Editing
Support statements
with evidence.
he
she
they
me
you
we
Style
Use a formal,
objective tone
Focus on facts,
not emotion
Consider different
points of view
Editing and Proofreading
11
Academic Style
Editing
For Example …
Style
Academic style
In a recent study, 67% of
young people expressed their
aversion to the killing of
animals
for
consumption.
However,
only
32%
of
respondents aged over 25 felt
the same way (Mitchell, 2007,
p.36).
Editing and Proofreading
NOT Academic style
I think that everyone is
realising how its really awful
the way animals are just
slaughtered so that people can
have their steak dinners.
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Sources
Sources
Editing
Question: Have I indicated the source of every piece of
information I have used in my assignment?
Information in your assignment requires an
 in-text citation
 reference list
Sources should be
 current
 authoritative
Check with your lecturer as to which referencing style to use.
Editing and Proofreading
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Proofreading
Word
choice
Spelling
Proofreading
Grammar
Punctuation
Editing and Proofreading
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Word Choice
Question: Is my assignment clear in meaning?
Word
choice
Proofreading
Be concise
Use specialised language where appropriate
Avoid words you do not know
Remove slang and discriminatory language
Editing and Proofreading
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Word
choice
Word Choice
Proofreading
Hedging Statements
Hedging statements
are conclusions that
are not absolute and
therefore are not as
easy to disprove
Hedging statements
tend to use words
such as ‘it maybe…’,
it indicates that…,
‘it could be concluded
that…’
Editing and Proofreading
Absolute
Statement
“Today everyone uses
credit cards for all
their shopping.”
Hedging Statement
“Many people in
society use their
credit cards for much
of their shopping.”
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Grammar
Proofreading
Questions: Are all my sentences
complete? Do they all make sense?
Grammar
Every sentence in your assignment should be complete
It should contain each of these grammatical elements
The subject – who or
what is doing
something
The cat
The object – who or what is
having something done to it
walked
to
the fridge
The verb– what is
being done
Editing and Proofreading
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Grammar
Read your assignment out loud one sentence at a time
Proofreading
Grammar
Your ears will usually hear when a sentence is not complete
Editing and Proofreading
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Grammar
Questions: Do my sentences contain only one
idea? Are they too long and complicated?
Proofreading
Grammar
A sentence should only have one point. Try not to have a sentence
that runs for no more than two or three lines. If it is too long, divide it
into more than one sentence.
Editing and Proofreading
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Grammar
Questions: Do the different elements of my
sentences agree?
Proofreading
Grammar
In each of your sentences:
The subject and verb should agree – that is, if your subject is singular
(one) then your verb should be in the singular form
one cat
eg:
singular verb
The cat sits on the couch
the cats sit on the couch
more than one cat
plural verb
Nouns and pronouns should match
more than one accountant
eg:
Good accountants look out for the
interests of his / their clients
plural pronoun
Editing and Proofreading
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Grammar
Proofreading
Grammar
You can find more about the rules on these and other grammar
points at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/5/
Editing and Proofreading
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Punctuation
Questions: Have I punctuated my sentences correctly?
Have I used commas in the right places? Have I used
apostrophes for the right reason?
Proofreading
Punctuation
Commas are commonly used for
 separating adjectives
e.g. The small, tense and quivering mouse looked up at me.
 adding an extra phrase into a sentence
e.g. The tall man, who wore a red tie, looked over his shoulder.
Apostrophes indicate either
 letter of a word have been left out (contraction)
e.g. you’re, who’ll
 the ownership of something (possession)
e.g. Lin’s wallet, the boys’ football
Editing and Proofreading
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Punctuation
Check your understanding of these and other punctuation
points at:
Proofreading
Punctuation
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/6/
Editing and Proofreading
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Spelling
Question: Is my spelling correct?
Spelling
Proofreading
Spelling is the least important part of your assignment, but
the most visible.
Use a spell checker, but do not just rely on it.
Learn to spell the words you use often.
Check your work by reading it backwards—you tend to focus
less on the meaning of words and more on their spelling.
Editing and Proofreading
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Formatting
Cover sheet
Check your unit
outline and blackboard
site for formatting
requirements.
Referencing
style
Graph size &
captions
Editing and Proofreading
Font size
Line spacing &
margins
Headings &
page numbers
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Photo References (in order of appearance)
PAGES 2-5
Nic McPhee, 'Editing a paper - 19 ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nics_events/2349630643/, ed, 2008, pen on page of edited
text, lid upright on page.
Nic McPhee, 'Editing a paper - 27', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nics_events/2349631689/, ed, 2008, Fountain pen on edited
page
R. Peschetz, '(Utopia) Before and After ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpeschetz/2611295812/, ed, 2008, building photo before
and after photoshopped
Wim Mulder, 'Writing to reach you', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wimmulder/15653748/, ed, 2005, holding a pen.
Exothermic, 'Flaming Orange Red Autumn Tree', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/exothermic/2041438046, ed, 2007, completely
orange red autumn tree
Grant MacDonald, 'fall leaf ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantmac/246785658/, ed, 2006, autumn leaf lying on the ground
Julian Robinson, 'the Loneliness of the Long distance Cyclist', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/2460263055/, ed, 2008,
long road with cyclist in the distance
Peter Garnhum., 'Edge of the Monsoon Palace ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/petergarnhum/237427219/, ed, 2006, looking
over palace walls to valley below
Telstar Logistics, 'Severed 707 Nose Section ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/telstar/67555169/, ed, 2005, Severed nose cone of
a 707 jet.
Rosalie A. Bakar, '5 Tips to help you get the most from proofreading ', In: http://www.ezyblogger.com/2009/05/5-tips-to-help-youget-the-most-from-proofreading/, ed, 2009, black bird reading words on manhole cover
T Martins, 'AGR-02RW012-005', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjmartins/3996324066/, ed, 2009, Aerial view of harvester in a
field, field half done
Editing and Proofreading
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Photo References (in order of appearance)
PAGES 6-18
Justin See, 'To-do list book', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/koalazymonkey/3596829214/, ed, 2009, open notebook with pencil
skipnclick, 'Pointed question', 2008, hand writing 'what's the point?‘
Patrick Medved, 'Structure ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ppix/2305078608/, ed, 2008, steel frame
Sarah Macmillan, 'The fence ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/essjay/3952434562/, ed, 2009, sunset through a chain link fence
Aftab Uzzaman, 'Pink ball saga ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aftab/4139274434/, ed, 2009, pink golf ball on beach pebbles
Eric Lin, 'Support structure for main terrace, park guell', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phonescoop/98402233/, ed, 2006, Columns
supporting a mosaic roof
Celeste Goulding, 'Wonderful early victorian hand motif bracelet ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/perfectjewels/2130677387, ed, 2007,
bracelet with ornate links, patterned beads and a hand on the end
Elliott Brown, 'Statue of George I outside The Barber Institue of Fine Arts - the horse's tail ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-rbrown/4207405714/, ed, 2009, tail end of statue of horse of King George I.
Sarietha, 'Repeating Patterns', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarietha/1794451071/, ed, 2007, A set of lights repeated down a hallway.
Light Rail Now, In: http://www.lightrailnow.org/images02/transit-graph-safety-per-pm-avg-2002-04_lrn.gif, ed, A graph of transit safety.
Grace Fell, 'Thinking ...' In: 392964271_b4d8fe95e9_o.jpg, ed, 2007, woman, chin on hand, looking up and thinking
Leo Reynolds, 'pile of books ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/4077733692/, ed, 2009, pile of books
Antony Chammond, 'Hedging my bets at Penshurst Place', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8525214@N06/2918055523/, ed, 2008, tall
hedge with a doorway cut out of it
justmakeit, '265/27 Sock Tragedies ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2231096694/, ed, 2008, Three unfinished knitted
socks
C Koay, 'Venus de Milo ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceekay/358327527/, ed, 15 January, 2007, statue of Venus de Milo
James Thompson, 'Cut Cake ', 2006, cream sponge cake with piece cut out of it
Editing and Proofreading
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Photo References (in order of appearance)
PAGES 19-25
Sarah Charlesworth, 'Train runs up the west side of the Exe estuary ', In: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1285794, ed, 2009,
Train running through fields with cows in foreground
Enrique Burgos, 'customer-loyalty_retention ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enriqueburgosgarcia/3364250371/, ed, 2009, two
stylized people shaking hands
Leo Reynolds, 'comma', 2006, comma yellow on green with link pattern
Stephen Lock, 'Spelling', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephendl/2212818035/, ed, 2008, colourful plastic letters of the alphabet
jumbled
Rick Kirby, 'Formation', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21804434@N02/3476321942/, ed, 2003, sculpture of six women with
arms outstretched.
Editing and Proofreading
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