ge 117 composition i

GE 117 Composition IGE 117 Composition I

Week 4 – Principles of Revision Week 4 – Principles of Revision and Proofreadingand Proofreading

Week 3 ReviewWeek 3 Review

Last week we discussed the role of a Last week we discussed the role of a ParagraphParagraph in the writing process. in the writing process.

A paragraph is a self-contained unit of A paragraph is a self-contained unit of writing. All effective writing is built upon writing. All effective writing is built upon paragraph development.paragraph development.

A paragraph is defined by what it A paragraph is defined by what it does,does, now now what it what it looks likelooks like..


A Paragraph is organized around a central A Paragraph is organized around a central idea. This idea is usually expressed via a idea. This idea is usually expressed via a Topic SentenceTopic Sentence..

The rest of the Paragraph is arranged by a The rest of the Paragraph is arranged by a specific form of organization.specific form of organization.

Common Organizational Patterns include Common Organizational Patterns include Simple-Complex, Chronological, Spatial, Simple-Complex, Chronological, Spatial, and Emphatic.and Emphatic.


Homework Assignment : A Childhood Homework Assignment : A Childhood Memory.Memory.

One Paragraph of 8-12 sentences on a One Paragraph of 8-12 sentences on a Childhood Memory.Childhood Memory.

Make use of specific details.Make use of specific details. Make use of a specific Organizational Make use of a specific Organizational

Pattern.Pattern.

Week 4 ObjectivesWeek 4 Objectives

Describe and utilize the stages and Describe and utilize the stages and principles of Revision in the Writing Processprinciples of Revision in the Writing Process

Review Editing and Proofreading techniques Review Editing and Proofreading techniques to reduce the frequency of typos.to reduce the frequency of typos.

Utilize and practice navigating electronic Utilize and practice navigating electronic sources of information, including the Internet sources of information, including the Internet and the Virtual Libraryand the Virtual Library

Week 4 - RevisionWeek 4 - Revision

Q: What is the difference between revising, Q: What is the difference between revising, editing, and proofreading?editing, and proofreading?

A: A: RevisionRevision is about adding, subtracting, is about adding, subtracting, reshaping or reforming a First Draft.reshaping or reforming a First Draft.

Editing Editing is about correcting syntax, is about correcting syntax, grammar, and mechanics.grammar, and mechanics.

ProofreadingProofreading is about finding and fixing is about finding and fixing spelling mistakes, homonyms, and typos.spelling mistakes, homonyms, and typos.


There are generally 3 stages you move There are generally 3 stages you move through as you attempt to Revise a rough through as you attempt to Revise a rough draft:draft:

Stage 1:Stage 1: Revise for Overall Meaning Revise for Overall MeaningStage 2:Stage 2: Revise for Paragraph development Revise for Paragraph developmentStage 3:Stage 3: Revise for Sentences and Words Revise for Sentences and Words


Revising for Overall MeaningRevising for Overall MeaningStage 1 of Revision requires you to look at the Stage 1 of Revision requires you to look at the

“Big Picture”. “Big Picture”. You should compare your draft to your initial You should compare your draft to your initial

planning/prewriting.planning/prewriting.You should ask yourself some key questions You should ask yourself some key questions

(see pages 98-99 in Longman Writer)(see pages 98-99 in Longman Writer)


How well did you meet your intended How well did you meet your intended objective(s)?objective(s)?

How appropriate was your tone and diction?How appropriate was your tone and diction?How well did you address the How well did you address the

needs/expectations of your audience?needs/expectations of your audience?According to what organizational method is According to what organizational method is

your draft structured?your draft structured?What are the main ideas of the essay?What are the main ideas of the essay?

Week 4 - RevisonWeek 4 - Revison

Revising for Overall Meaning is similar to Revising for Overall Meaning is similar to the first stage of home renovation – you the first stage of home renovation – you must pay attention to the large scale must pay attention to the large scale structures first (foundation, framing, etc), structures first (foundation, framing, etc), before moving on to any smaller scale. before moving on to any smaller scale.

Otherwise, your essay might be like a poorly Otherwise, your essay might be like a poorly built house - perhaps pretty to look at, but built house - perhaps pretty to look at, but unstable and unsuitable to live in.unstable and unsuitable to live in.


Revising for Paragraph DevelopmentRevising for Paragraph DevelopmentOnce you have paid attention to Overall Once you have paid attention to Overall

Meaning, you should move through each Meaning, you should move through each individual paragraph, one by one.individual paragraph, one by one.

This is similar to fixing things in a home floor This is similar to fixing things in a home floor by floor, once we are sure the Overall by floor, once we are sure the Overall Structure and Foundation are solid.Structure and Foundation are solid.


Revising for Paragraph DevelopmentRevising for Paragraph DevelopmentAs you move from each paragraph to the As you move from each paragraph to the next, many of the questions you asked in next, many of the questions you asked in Stage 1 reappear and some new ones Stage 1 reappear and some new ones emerge.emerge.

See pages 100-101 in Longman Writer.See pages 100-101 in Longman Writer.


Revising for Paragraph DevelopmentRevising for Paragraph Development

Do all Paragraphs support the essay’s Thesis Do all Paragraphs support the essay’s Thesis (Main Idea) or do any contradict/undermine?(Main Idea) or do any contradict/undermine?

How is each Paragraph organized? Does the How is each Paragraph organized? Does the Pattern make sense?Pattern make sense?

What is each Paragraph’s Main Idea? Is there What is each Paragraph’s Main Idea? Is there a Topic Sentence?a Topic Sentence?


Revising for Paragraph DevelopmentRevising for Paragraph Development

Does each Paragraph make use of specific Does each Paragraph make use of specific details, ideas, examples, or are some details, ideas, examples, or are some vague/unspecific?vague/unspecific?

How are the Paragraphs sequenced in the How are the Paragraphs sequenced in the essay? Does the Pattern make sense?essay? Does the Pattern make sense?

Is there an Introduction and Conclusion Is there an Introduction and Conclusion Paragraph?Paragraph?

Week 4 RevisionWeek 4 Revision

Revising for Sentences and WordsRevising for Sentences and Words

The last scale of Revision is the smallest – we The last scale of Revision is the smallest – we focus on sentence and words last. This focus on sentence and words last. This stage of Revision is liking making aesthetic stage of Revision is liking making aesthetic improvements to a house – paint, tiles, improvements to a house – paint, tiles, carpets, etc. But it must always come last! carpets, etc. But it must always come last! You don’t paint a wall or a door that might You don’t paint a wall or a door that might get knocked down!get knocked down!



After moving through your individual After moving through your individual paragraphs (or while you move through paragraphs (or while you move through them), you can choose to “sharpen” them), you can choose to “sharpen” individual sentences and words to make individual sentences and words to make your overall essay a better product.your overall essay a better product.


Revising for Sentences and WordsRevising for Sentences and Words At this smallest scale, you should focus on At this smallest scale, you should focus on

some common concerns (see page 118 in some common concerns (see page 118 in Longman Writer).Longman Writer).

Having your prewriting and planning available Having your prewriting and planning available will help you compare what you’ve got on will help you compare what you’ve got on paper with what you “wanted” to write.paper with what you “wanted” to write.



ToneTone – Compared to your planning, how is – Compared to your planning, how is your Tone and Diction? Do any words or your Tone and Diction? Do any words or sentences not “fit in?”sentences not “fit in?”

Economy Economy – Have you used as few words as – Have you used as few words as necessary to express your ideas, or do you necessary to express your ideas, or do you find yourself using far more than necessary?find yourself using far more than necessary?



Type VarietyType Variety – Good writers will use a variety of – Good writers will use a variety of Sentence Types- Simple, Compound, and Sentence Types- Simple, Compound, and Complex. Avoid using only 1 Complex. Avoid using only 1 sentence type. (See sentence type. (See pages 109-113 in Longman Writer.)pages 109-113 in Longman Writer.)

Length and TempoLength and Tempo – Good writers mix and match – Good writers mix and match different sentence lengths to ensure a readable different sentence lengths to ensure a readable rhythm. rhythm.


Revising for Sentences and WordsRevising for Sentences and Words Specific Specific – Do sentences use real, genuine – Do sentences use real, genuine

examples/ideas, or are they vague/general?examples/ideas, or are they vague/general?

ActiveActive – For the most part, do sentences use – For the most part, do sentences use Action Verbs, or Passive Verbs (to be, to Action Verbs, or Passive Verbs (to be, to seem, to feel, etc.) Good writing is full of seem, to feel, etc.) Good writing is full of Action, not Being!Action, not Being!


Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading

After you have moved through the 3 stages After you have moved through the 3 stages of revision, you should focus on Editing and of revision, you should focus on Editing and Proofreading. Proofreading.

Editing is concerned with syntax and Editing is concerned with syntax and grammar, while Proofreading is concerned grammar, while Proofreading is concerned with spelling mistakes and typos.with spelling mistakes and typos.


Editing and ProofreadingEditing and ProofreadingHere are some useful tips:Here are some useful tips:

1) Put your draft away for at least 24 hours. 1) Put your draft away for at least 24 hours. You can’t find your mistakes right after You can’t find your mistakes right after you’ve written something.you’ve written something.

2) Get feedback! Always have a second pair 2) Get feedback! Always have a second pair of eyes look for mistakes you won’t (or of eyes look for mistakes you won’t (or can’t) be able to find.can’t) be able to find.

Week 4 -RevisionWeek 4 -Revision

Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading3) Always work from typed text, with margins 3) Always work from typed text, with margins

and double spacing. It makes reading and double spacing. It makes reading easier, and allows corrections to be clear easier, and allows corrections to be clear and visible.and visible.

4) Read your draft aloud. Your mind “skips 4) Read your draft aloud. Your mind “skips over” mistakes your voice would stumble over” mistakes your voice would stumble upon. Mistakes are more clear when you upon. Mistakes are more clear when you read aloud.read aloud.


Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading5) Use (but never rely on) Grammar and Spell 5) Use (but never rely on) Grammar and Spell

Checkers. All word processing software has Checkers. All word processing software has them, but they can’t catch everything.them, but they can’t catch everything.

6) Know thyself. If you are bad at spelling (or 6) Know thyself. If you are bad at spelling (or grammar, punctuation, etc) admit it, allocate grammar, punctuation, etc) admit it, allocate more time to check your work, and have more time to check your work, and have good spellers help you!good spellers help you!


Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading7) Be aware of commonly misspelled words 7) Be aware of commonly misspelled words

and homonyms (words that sound alike but and homonyms (words that sound alike but are spelled differently) such as They’re, are spelled differently) such as They’re, Their, There, and Where, wear, were. They Their, There, and Where, wear, were. They account for a large percentage of all errors.account for a large percentage of all errors.

8) Become familiar with Proofreader Marks 8) Become familiar with Proofreader Marks (see page 136 in Longman Writer) that are (see page 136 in Longman Writer) that are commonly used.commonly used.


Editing and ProofreadingEditing and Proofreading9) Pay attention to detail. When you have 9) Pay attention to detail. When you have

many small mistakes, they often speak many small mistakes, they often speak volumes more about you (and your work volumes more about you (and your work ethic) than 1 large mistake would. ethic) than 1 large mistake would.

10) Strive to improve. Be honest, know your 10) Strive to improve. Be honest, know your weak areas, and always try to get better. weak areas, and always try to get better. Some of the world’s best writers were also Some of the world’s best writers were also the worst spellers! But they improved!the worst spellers! But they improved!


Homework AssignmentHomework Assignment

- Page 142, Activity 1 in Longman Writer.- Page 142, Activity 1 in Longman Writer. - Read the letter, and make some notes and/or - Read the letter, and make some notes and/or

corrections in your textbook.corrections in your textbook. - Rewrite and retype the letter. Keep the purpose of - Rewrite and retype the letter. Keep the purpose of

the letter the same, but fix any and all errors you the letter the same, but fix any and all errors you can locate.can locate.

- Typed, double spaced, Font 12.- Typed, double spaced, Font 12.

ge 117 composition i

Documents

paragraph developmentdo

paragraph developmentstage

paragraph developmentonce

paragraph developmentas

reviewa paragraph

individual paragraph

reviewlast week

overall meaningstage