Editing and Revising- Rules and Examples

Writing – Editing and Revising

Activity:

The following paragraph has not been edited. There are errors in some of the sentences. Identify the errors and write them correctly.

Once upon a time there was a hermit. He lives in a small cave far away from the village. He was known to has magical healing powers. So whenever anyone fall sick, the hermit used to treat them with his medicine and put them back to healthy. People form far and wide to met him.

Here are the answers!!!

Once upon a time there was a hermit. He lived in a small cave far away from the village. He was known to have magical healing powers. So, whenever anyone fell sick, the hermit used to treat them with his medicine and put them back to health. People from far and wide came to meet him.

1. Editing:

First let’s discuss editing and its scope:

Editing of a text or any writing has five main aspects.

1. Spelling
2. Capitalization
3. Punctuation
4. Grammar
5. Sentence structure subject/verb agreement, consistent verb, tenses and word usage

2. Revising:

Next let’s discuss what is revising and the scope of revising a text or writing.

Revising allows you to make four types of changes in your writing. This is also called purpose of revising (the writings).

1. Adding: What else does the reader need to know?
2. Rearranging: Is the information in the most logical and most effective manner?
3. Removing: What extra details or unnecessary bits of information are in this piece of writing?
4. Replacing: What words or details could be replaced by clearer or stronger expressions?

Let us first discuss how to write error-free sentences. The following aspects should be considered:

1. Subject-verb Concord

Study the following sentences:

1. It is a combination of factors that cause the present situation. (Incorrect use of verb-cause)
2. It is a combination of factors that causes the present situation. (Correct use of verbs – causes)

Rule: The subject must agree with the verb in number and person.

2. Wrong Tense or Verb Form.

Study the sentences given below:

1. During her speech, Jade opened her arms to the audience, smiles and bowed deeply. (Verb-smiles is wrong)
2. During her speech, Jade opened her arms to the audience, smiled and bowed deeply. (Verb-smiled is correct)

RULE: Wrong tense or verb form. The verb form that shows whether you are referring to the past, future or present should be maintained in sequence.

3. Singular and Plural Errors:

Read the sentences given below

1. Incorrect: Tourism have been considered one of the most important factors in the town’s economic (Incorrect- have) development.
2. Correct: Tourism has been considered one of the most important factors in the town’s economic development. (Correct- has)

4. Incorrect Word Form:

Read the sentences given below carefully:

1. Incorrect: Jack was had lot of discipline problem because he didn’t obey the advise given by his parents. (Incorrect word form – advise (verb)
2. Correct: Jack was had lot of discipline problem because he didn’t obey the advice given by his parents. (Incorrect word form – advice (Noun)

RULE: Incorrect word form- Using the form of verbs adjectives, nouns or adverbs – of a word

3. Unclear Pronoun Reference

Study the sentences given below.

1. Incorrect: Both Maria and Tania loved her children.
2. Correct: Both Maria and Tania loved Maria’s/Tania’s/their children.

Note: Find the pronoun and replace it with the antecedent. If the pronoun reference is clear, the sentence would make sense.

RULE: Unclear pronoun reference. Unclear pronoun reference makes sentences confusing, vague, and difficult to understand.

4. Errors in the Use of Articles

The incorrect use or omission of a, an and the.

Study the sentences given below:

1. Incorrect: The meeting ended with an call for humanitarian approach to be taken over a plight of the refugees around globe. (wrong use of articles an and a)
2. Correct: The meeting ended with a call for a humanitarian approach to be taken over the plight of refugees around the globe. (Use of articles a and the at appropriate places)

RULE: Correct use of articles. Do not omit articles wherever necessary.

5. Wrong or Missing Prepositions

Using the wrong preposition is a common error as most prepositions are not stressed or pronounced clearly in speech. They are also often left out accidentally in writing.

Example:

When we arrived to the station, the train had already started.

(Incorrect use of “To”)

When we arrived at the station, the train had already started.

(Correct usage is “At”)

6. Possessive Apostrophe Error

Apostrophes indicate possession for the following:

1. Nouns omissions in contractions
2. In general, they are not used to indicate plurals.

7. Contractions Errors

Example:

Incorrect: In the current conflict, the ruling partys’ victory is inevitable.

Correct: In the current conflict, the ruling party’s victory is inevitable.

Note: In formal writing avoid contractions.

8. Errors in Use of Homonyms

Now, look at the following examples.

1. Incorrect: The recession had a very negative affect on the economy.

Correct: The recession had a very negative effect on the economy.

2. Incorrect: We were planning to buy a Villa. So, we went to see the

Correct: We were planning to buy a Villa. So, we went to see the site.

Note: Using a word with the wrong meaning can occur often due to similar spelling or pronunciation.

9. Adverbs Not Placed Properly in a Sentence- Misplaced Adverbs

Incorrect: Daniel almost washed all of the buses.

Correct: Daniel washed almost all of the buses.

Be careful where the adverb is placed in the sentence as it has a different meaning. Both the sentences above have the different meanings.