Quick Editing Guide

This Quick Editing Guide provides an overview of grammar, style, punctuation, and mechanics problems typical of college writing.

EDITING CHECKLIST

Common and Serious Problems in College Writing

Grammar Problems

Have you avoided writing sentence fragments?
Have you avoided writing comma splices or fused sentences?
Have you used the correct form for all verbs in the past tense?
Do all verbs agree with their subjects?
Have you used the correct case for all pronouns?
Do all pronouns agree with their antecedents?
Have you used adjectives and adverbs correctly?

Sentence Problems

Does each modifier clearly modify the appropriate sentence element?
Have you used parallel structure where needed?

Punctuation Problems

Have you used commas correctly?
Have you used apostrophes correctly?
Have you punctuated quotations correctly?

Mechanics Problems

Have you used capital letters correctly?
Have you spelled all words correctly?

See editing and proofreading strategies.

Editing and proofreading are needed at the end of the writing process because writers — all writers — find it difficult to write error-free sentences the first time they try. Once you are satisfied that you have expressed your ideas, you should make sure that each sentence and word is concise, clear, and correct. Certain common errors in Standard Written English are like red flags to careful readers: they signal that the writer is either ignorant or careless. Use the editing checklist on page A–39 to check your paper for these problems; then use the editing checklists in each section to help you correct specific errors. Concentrate on any problems likely to reappear in your writing.

Your grammar checker or software can help you catch some errors, but not others. Always consider the grammar checker’s suggestions carefully before accepting them and continue to edit on your own.