Self-Editing
Go through these self-editing steps after you have completed typing your entire essay.
1. Read aloud or “mouth” it back to yourself. You are far more likely to catch errors when you read it aloud because your brain has to reprocess what you’ve written. While you read, correct any sentences that seems WORDY, AWKWARD, or REDUNDANT. _____ Your initials
2. Eliminate any deal-breakers. Absolutely NO: fragments, run-ons, or personal pronouns (I, me, you, your). Also avoid referring to the “reader”. It is already clear that the author is directing the work to whoever is reading it, so mentioning the “reader” is redundant. _____ Your initials
3. Check your transitions. Each body paragraph should begin with a transition into each topic sentence. If you are struggling with writing your transitions, consider which topics you are moving between. What change/transition/progression do you see in the character or symbol? Make this shift clear in your transitions.
· Though Ralph is initially portrayed as an immature character, he becomes more responsible as he experiences …
· The symbolism of the fire makes a transition from ______to ______when …
· Simon’s role in Golding’s moral allegory becomes more important as he …
· Jack descends even further into savagery as he changes from a follower of Jack to a leader when he …
______Your initials
4. Look to all of your quotes. Double check that they are cited with page numbers, and effectively blended. If you have more than one quote and they are from different pages, list the page numbers as they appear in your paper (e.g.: (69, 58)). Your quotes are effectively blended when they do not interrupt the grammar of your sentence.
Effectively blended quote: Jack desperately wants to prove himself to the group by killing the pig, repeating “next time!” with vicious determination (33).
Ineffectively blended quote: Jack desperately wants to prove himself to the group after he fails the first time to kill the pig, “Next time there will be no mercy” (33).
______Your initials
5. Look to your analysis. Make sure your analysis comes after a bank of quotes that provide evidence. Then look to your 2-3 sentences of analysis and check that you are tying the greater theme directly to the evidence that you provided. If you are not addressing the greater theme, use the questions in your organizers to create analysis.
_____ Your initials
6. Check your word choice. Look to your most repeated words and make an effort to diversify your language. You may use the vocabulary sheet to assist you, or you may use an online thesaurus.
_____ Your initials
7. Ensure that you are writing in present tense. Literary analysis always happens in present tense; look through the entire essay and correct any incorrect tenses (often writers fall into the habit of writing in past tense).
CORRECT:
· In his allegorical novel, Lord of the Flies, Golding displays the struggle of savagery in human nature through the character Jack.
· Jack sees that Ralph is being chosen for chief over him, which enrages him and immediately creates competition between the boys.
INCORRECT:
· Piggy struggled to help Ralph find the logical and rational side of himself when Ralph started to fight Jack.
· Simon helped the littleuns get fruit, which showed his Christ-like nature.
_____ Your initials
8. Run spell-check and grammar check. Make sure to correct any errors that it catches.
_____ Your initials
9. Does your paper contain at least 12 blended quotes (4+ per body paragraph)? ____
10. Is your paper between 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman? _____
After you’ve finished going through this checklist on your computer, print off a copy of your essay to use for peer editing tomorrow. You may also use this copy for “Three Before Me” editing.
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THREE BEFORE ME
Have three people proofread your paper and sign below. At least one of the three people should be an adult. Staple this to your final copy for 2 points extra credit.
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Signature – Peer Editor Date
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Signature – other peer or adult Date
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Signature – adult Date
Staple your “Three Before Me” form to your final copy for two extra credit points (if complete).