Editing & Proofreading

It is essential to learn how to edit and proofread your own work. Editing involves looking at the paper as a whole and revising your content, organization, structure, flow, and clarity.  Proofreading focuses on sentence-level issues: spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  Success Centre Coordinators are happy to discuss your paper with you, provide developmental feedback about your writing, and show you how to self-edit, but we are not able to edit or proofread your work. 

1. Review the assignment instructions.
   • Have you addressed every aspects of the prompt?
   • Which aspects are missing and how can you include them?
   • Where would you place this assignment on the rubric?
2. Check your thesis statement.
   • Does it match the conclusions you draw in your paper?
   • Is it specific and precise?
3. Revise body paragraphs.
   • Does each paragraph present your evidence and research?
   • Does each paragraph clearly support your thesis statement?
   • Do your paragraphs logically flow from one to the next?
4. Ensure all research is properly cited.
5. Proofread each sentence.
   • Analyze each sentence for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Review the following links for more guidance on editing and proof-reading.