University of Delaware Writing Center

Self-Editing Exercise

Students can use this self-editing sheet on their own papers, or you can ask them to use it when reviewing another student’s paper. 

This activity should be used the class just before a paper is due.
Require that the students bring in a word-processed draft of the paper (if nothing else, this will prevent getting a paper written the night before it’s due).

In-class Editing Assignment

Identify the longest paragraph in the paper.

  • Count the number of words in each sentence.
  • Determine the average length.
    Comment: The average college sentence is about 22 words long.
  • Make sure main points are in short sentences.
  • Have considerable variation in length.
  • Comment:  If sentences are uniform in length, the reader is likely to get bored..

Circle the topic sentence in several paragraphs.

  • Underline the supporting, data, information, and quotes.
  • Delete any sentences that do not support the topic sentence.

Circle all the linking verbs (is, are, was, were, am, be, being, been) on one page.

  • Direct quotations do not count.
  • If there are more than 5 linking verbs, reword the sentences so that you have no more than 5 on the page.
    Comment: This gets rid of passive verbs..

Makebrief paragraph-by-paragraph outline of your paper.

  • Does the outline show a logically organized paper?  If not, revise it.

Based on assignment by Rivers Singleton, Department of Biological Sciences.

©2006 University of Delaware