Editing your writing
In a nutshell
When writing a text, it is useful to be able to read it again carefully and make
changes to improve its quality.
In this summary, you will learn how to effectively edit a draft of text.
Why edit?
Editing your work is important because it can remove any spelling and
punctuation errors, enhance the flow of your writing and improve the language and
style used.
How to edit
Remember to edit your draft before you decide that a piece of writing is finished.
Don’t be discouraged as your first draft is rarely your final draft. It is prone to have
some mistakes or room for improvement and most writers have many drafts they
improve upon.
Additionally, there is no correct number of times to edit a draft; you finish editing
when you are satisfied with your work or you feel the draft does not need any more
changes.
Include everything you want to write
Sometimes when you write, you may forget to include important information or
realise that you could expand on the text for better clarity. Clarity means greater
understanding for the reader. You can add extra information to give the reader a
better overview.
Use the right type of words
Choosing the correct style of language ensures consistency throughout your writing.
Consistency means the words you use are in the same style throughout your writing. Style
usually refers to the words being formal or informal. Again, this gives the reader greater
clarity
Check grammar and vocabulary
Proofreading means checking your writing for spelling or grammar mistakes. It is
important to catch errors and make your writing as clear as possible. Look out for
missing punctuation, like full stops, commas and apostrophes!
