Self-EditSmall Fixes

1. Highlight every quote/source used within your paper. Do you:

  • Introduce the quote using author first and last name and article/book title? (Note: If you’ve used the same source earlier in your paper, you only need to introduce the quote with the author’s last name)
  • Cite the source in your Works Cited?
  • Use parenthetical citations after the quote?
  • Use the next few sentences after the quote to explain in your own words?

2. Highlight the first sentence of every new body paragraph.

  • Does the first sentence help to transition from one body paragraph to another?

or

  • Does the first sentence present the topic of the new body paragraph?
  • Does this sentence relate to the overall thesis?

3. Highlight every instance you start a sentence using a demonstrative pronoun (this, that, these, those). What do you mean by “that”?

  • “This clearly reveals that millenials do not know how to multitask.” What clearly shows? The sentence that came before? The entire paper? Be specific and revise. “The low grades of students who frequently multitask indicate that many millenials are unable to multitask.”

4. Highlight every time the words “you” “we” “us” appear in your paper.

  • Ban these words from your paper! Who are you talking about when you say “we” or “us”? College students? Millenials? Get specific.

5. Highlight all contractions in your paper (don’t can’t, won’t, it’s, that’s, etc.)

  • Contractions take away from the formality of your paper, and some university professors are sticklers on this rule, so it’s best to get into the practice of avoiding contractions now.

Self-Edit Big Fixes:

1. Don’t tell me what you’re going to do, just do it.

  • Phrases like “This paper will discuss…” or “This quote means…” are filler sentences. Don’t tell me what your paper will discuss, just discuss it! I should be able to understand what your paper will discuss from your introduction and thesis without you explicitly telling me.

2. Highlight each time you use a personal pronoun (I, me, my) in your paper.

  • Why are you using personal pronouns? Don’t say, “I believe that Instagram is a great social media platform for businesses.” As you are the author of this paper, it’s implied that you agree with your own writing. Instead, say “Instagram is a great social media platform for businesses.” (Then use support to back up this claim!)