Essay 2 Editing and Proofreading Checklist
Essay 2 Editing and Proofreading ChecklistEditing is the phase of rewriting that focuses on finding and correcting errors in sentence structure, style, grammar, and mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization). It generally makes the most sense to edit your essay after you have revised it–that is, after the content and organization are in place. You probably will edit more effectively if you read a printed copy of your essay, rather than reading it on the computer screen or relying only on spell-check and grammar-check.
Use the checklist below to help yourself find and correct common editing errors. Recommendation: Read through your essay multiple times looking for different things. Try reading backwards, sentence-by-sentence, for at least one of the readings.
1. _____ No sentence structure errors (especially fragments, comma-splices, confusing sentences).
2. _____ No stylistic weaknesses (especially any use of "I," "you," slang, or other informal language; wrong word errors, such as to/too/two, its/it's, or definitely/defiantly).
3. _____ No grammar errors (especially subject-verb agreement errors, verb tense errors, pronoun errors, etc.).
4. _____ No spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors.
Proofreading is
the phase of rewriting that focuses on format,
appearance, and typos. You should proofread your essay when you feel that
you have a final version. Always
use a printed copy when proofreading.
Use the checklist below to help yourself proofread your final version of Essay 1.
1. _____ Correct MLA format. Recommendation: Check SG, pp. 331-35.
| _____ Heading in top left-hand corner of page 1 (name, instructor, class, date) | |
| _____ Informative title, centered left to right | |
| _____ Heading in top right-hand corner (Last Name #). | |
| _____ Double-spaced text. Reminder: No extra spaces between paragraphs. | |
| _____ 1-inch margins on top, bottom, and sides. |
2. _____ 12-point type, Times New Roman.
3. _____ Quality print job (no blue print, faded print, streaks, smears, etc.).
4. _____ No typos.