Editing
- is on a sentence level, addressing problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation, or word choice.
- is one-sided. The editor writes comments and corrections on the paper and returns the paper to the writer.
- is hierarchical. An editor looks for “mistakes” and “fixes” them. An editor places value on writing (such as a grade).
- focuses on the paper as a product.
Revising
- deals with the paper as a whole, considering strengths and weaknesses, arguments, focus and organization, support, and voice, as well as mechanical issues.
- is dialogue-based. The purpose or revision is to ask questions, expanding ideas and challenging arguments which require discussion between the writer and the reader.
- is non-hierarchical. Offering questions and making observations allow the writer and reader to hold separate and valid opinions. The purpose of discussion is to expand and clarify ideas rather than “correct” them.
- focuses on the writer in the process of writing and increasing the writer’s understanding of the paper’s strengths and weaknesses.
- clarifies and focuses the writer’s arguments by defining terms, making concessions and counter-arguments, and using evidence. This may involve moving or removing entire paragraphs, extending or narrowing ideas, rewriting vague or confusing text, and adding to existing paragraphs.
Copy and paste the following paragraph into your Google Doc and edit it.
My name is Jay Hammond I am a firefighter. I live in 128 Pine Lane, in Jackson, Mississippi. I have two childs. One is a girl named Clair. The other is boy named Thatcher. His name after my father. I also have a wife named Jenna. She is beutiful. She has long, dark, soft hair. We also got a dog named Buck. He is very obedient but sometimes he barks at night and it upsets our neighbors!