When working on an assignment you’ll need to spend time revising and reviewing your work. By engaging in careful editing and proofreading, and incorporating feedback, you’ll be able to produce stronger work.
Edit and proofread
Editing and proofreading are two separate but interrelated tasks that help you improve your writing.
Edit your work to ensure your paper is well-organised and the evidence backs up your argument. You should also check transitions between paragraphs are smooth. Ask yourself questions such as:
- Have you done everything the assignment requires?
- Are your points supported with adequate evidence?
- Is there an appropriate introduction and conclusion?
- Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence?
- Are your quotes, paraphrases and ideas from others cited appropriately?
Proofreading focuses on misspellings, punctuation and grammatical errors. It’s the final stage of the writing process and should be done after all other editing revisions have been made. Be systematic, read slowly and review one sentence at a time.
Use feedback
Try to make the most of any feedback you receive by using it to improve current and future assignments.
Sometimes seeing feedback on your work can feel discouraging and overwhelming. It’s important to remember that constructive criticism of your writing is not a criticism of you personally. To help smooth out the process, try following these steps:
- Consider feedback objectively and try to put emotions aside.
- Develop an action plan to improve your work—what skills or knowledge is required?
- Clarify any feedback you do not understand.
- Seek information, assistance or advice on ways to improve.
It can help to take a break—perhaps go for a walk—to clear your mind before revisiting the feedback.
