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Objective:

In this lesson, you will learn how to proofread a writing selection for accuracy in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

Before You Begin

When you write, you are concerned with two major areas: content (what you say) and mechanics (how you say it).

Writing Process 6 focused on the revision process which involved organization and content. Now it's time to get down to the "stuff" that writing is made of: MECHANICS.

Editing

Editing involves checking your paper's mechanics; spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. A good writer is usually a good editor. An editor checks writing for mistakes and corrects them.

The mechanics of a car and the mechanics of writing are similar. In both cases, all the details must be in good working order. If the battery is dead or a tire is flat, the car will not function. If your writing is full of spelling and grammar errors, it will not work effectively. Even if a car is shiny and clean and looks good on the outside, it is worthless to the owner if it won't run. Your paper may have a neat appearance, but if it is not mechanically fit, it is not effective.

When a driver prepares a vehicle for a trip, he or she checks several items: tires, oil, gas, etc., to make sure everything is in the proper working order. What areas do you need to check to make sure that your writing is in good working order? The major areas are spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

Spelling

First, check your spelling carefully. Look for your personal "spelling demons," words that you frequently misspell or that give you problems. If your paper is handwritten, read it silently and look for spelling errors. If you are working on the computer you may use the spell checker.

Heed this word of warning!

Don't depend on the spell checker totally. The words may all be spelled correctly, but their use is a different matter. The computer cannot tell you everything. For instance, the word you used may be spelled correctly, but it may be the wrong word. Here are some examples:

affect/effect

their/there/they're

its/it's

your/you're

to/two/too

a/an/and

In most cases, the spell check does not distinguish between words like these. You are still responsible for your errors. A click of the mouse on the spell check icon does not erase your responsibility for correct spelling.

Grammar

Next, carefully check your grammar. One effective way to do this is to read the paper aloud and listen for grammar errors. Again, if you are working on the computer, your word processing program may have a grammar checker. But like the spell checker, it is not always reliable. It can point out some potential problems such as extra long sentences and passive voice, but it cannot identify things like run-on sentences. Don't depend on the grammar checker to point out all your errors. Reread your writing. Make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb. Make sure subjects and verbs agree. Check verb tenses to see if they are consistent.

Punctuation

Next, check the punctuation. Be sure that each sentence ends with the correct punctuation mark. Also, double check your use of commas. They should be used where needed but not inserted unnecessarily.

! ? , . " ( ) & '

Capitalization

Another area to check is capitalization. Make sure that each sentence begins with a capital letter and that all proper nouns and proper adjectives are capitalized.

It is also a good idea to review the directions for your assignment to ensure that you have fulfilled all the requirements.

Editing Practice

Now, let's put your editing skills to use in this example paragraph. Correct all the spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors.

On December 5 1945 an unusual event took place in the Bermuda Triangle just off the Southeastern tip of florida. A squadron of united states navy training planes were flying missions between Florida, and the Bahamas, some of the equipment in the lead plane malfunctioned.the Pilot could not determine the direction he was flying. Four other pilots was trying to follow him. Then came an order from the lead pilot to ditch the planes nothing else was ever heard from the pilots. Search Planes flew in the area for several days but found nothing No trace was ever found. This is only one of the mysterious things that have happened in the Bermuda Triangle.

More Editing Practice

Below is the paragraph about coin collecting fromWriting Process 6. Correct all the spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors that you can find.

Coin collecting is an interesting and profitable hobby. Wouldn't you be excited about finding a dime that might be worth more than $100? Well, that's what happen to me! I started collecting coins at my Dad's business when I was about 8 years old. He had a pay parking lot in front of his business and they collected about $50 in coins every day. I got intrested in going through the coins to see what I could find. That was five year agao and Im still going strong. All coins are not valuable but many are certainly intresting. I have found all kinds of foreign coins and even some subway tokens! The most valuable coin I have found was a Liberty dime, which is worth at least $100. I would really like to find an Indian buffalo nickel and

An Assignment for Your Student Writing Portfolio:

Copy your paragraph from Writing Process 6 and paste it below. Then, edit your paragraph carefully by correcting all the spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors.

Copy your prewriting here:

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