As part of the writing process, you will read and reread your own writing to make sure your ideas are clear and to correct any grammatical errors you have made. Your editing process can be more effective if you keep a notebook or an editing log of your common errors.

When you get a paper back from an instructor, record in your notebook any errors your instructor marked. You might also record any grammatical points that you looked up as you were writing or editing. Your log might be a single chart or checklist, as in sample 1 below. Or it might consist of sentences with errors and the corrections you make to them, as in sample 2. When you document corrections in your editing log, it is helpful to include an explanation for the correction and a reference to the section of your handbook that explains the correction. This process will make your log a helpful tool for you to use as a resource for improving future essays.

SAMPLE EDITING LOG 1: CHECKLIST

SAMPLE EDITING LOG 2: CORRECTED SENTENCES

When you write a new paper, check your editing log during the final stage to help you find and correct the mistakes you make most often.