Revising, Editing, Proofreading: What's the Difference?

Summary

This video from the MiraCosta College Writing Center explains the distinctions between revising, editing, and proofreading, and provides practical strategies for each step. Revising involves examining the overall structure and content, focusing on higher order concerns like organization and argument support. Editing shifts to a regional focus, addressing sentence-level issues, clarity, and language appropriateness. Proofreading, the final stage, emphasizes correcting grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. The video also offers tips for success, such as setting clear goals, seeking specific feedback, and revisiting work after taking breaks. Viewers are encouraged to visit the Writing Center for additional support.

Takeaways

• 📜 Revising is the first step in the writing process, focusing on the global or big picture of the work.
• 🔍 During revision, higher order concerns such as content, structure, and thesis alignment are prioritized.
• 📝 Revising might involve adding new information, eliminating unnecessary content, or reorganizing paragraphs for better flow.
• ❓ Ensure the thesis and arguments match; adjust either the thesis or the arguments if needed.
• 🛠 Editing is more regional, dealing with sentence or paragraph-level issues after revising is done.
• ✂️ In the editing phase, focus on clarity, reducing repetition, and avoiding wordiness.
• 💬 Pay attention to sentence variety, and avoid run-on sentences, fragments, jargon, and clichés during editing.
• 🖋 Proofreading is the final step, concentrating on lower order concerns like grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• 🔄 Writers often move between revising and editing throughout the drafting process, so defining goals at each stage is crucial.
• ⏳ Taking breaks between stages allows for fresh perspectives, and clearly communicating needs when seeking feedback can enhance the revision process.

Q & A

What is the difference between revising, editing, and proofreading?

Revising focuses on big-picture issues such as content and structure, editing looks at sentence and paragraph level issues, and proofreading is concerned with correcting errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

When should you start revising your paper?

Revising should be the first step, before editing and proofreading, and it focuses on higher order concerns like staying on topic and supporting the thesis.

What are some common revision tasks?

Common revision tasks include adding or eliminating information, ensuring arguments support the thesis, and reorganizing paragraphs to improve logical flow.

What is the primary goal of editing?

The primary goal of editing is to clearly express ideas by addressing repetition, wordiness, sentence structure, and the use of jargon and clichés.

How does editing differ from revising?

Editing happens on a sentence or paragraph level, focusing on how ideas are presented, while revising addresses the overall content and structure of the paper.

What should you look for when proofreading?

When proofreading, you should look for lower-order concerns such as grammar errors, punctuation mistakes, and spelling errors, including homonyms and homographs.

Why is it important to define your needs when asking for feedback?

It’s important because different people may interpret revising, editing, and proofreading differently, so being clear about your needs helps others focus on your priorities.

What is a useful strategy for getting a fresh perspective on your work?

Taking breaks between writing sessions is a good strategy for gaining a fresh and objective perspective on your work.

Why is it important to match your thesis with your arguments?

Matching your thesis with your arguments ensures that your paper remains focused and that all parts support the central claim or thesis.

What role does audience play in editing?

While editing, it's important to ensure that the language and style are appropriate for the intended audience and purpose of the paper.