Proofreading and Editing Series

Welcome back! In this third part to the series, we begin the more in-depth journey of gathering some key information about and for our writing and ourselves. The important thing to remember is to be honest with yourself as you work through this information. I've broken proofreading down into Levels for better understanding.

Level I

The basis of each of your writing endeavors is, ultimately, the story (or poem, article, essay, etc.). Think of it as the foundation of a home being built. The walls and roof won't offer much protection from the elements if there isn't something sturdy supporting them.

When we think of a story, a few components come to mind. These include the theme, the plot, the setting and the characters. They are parts of a whole- whole being the story itself.

Thinking ONLY about the overall story (or poem, article, essay, etc.), there are some questions a proofreader and/or editor (that's you) should ask him or herself while reading. These questions are:

Is the story (or poem, article, essay, etc.) clear; does it make sense?

Is there a smooth flow through the reading or is it choppy?

Is the story (or poem, article, essay, etc.) interesting?

Does the writing suit its intended audience?

Does/do the main character(s) have a specific goal and some form of conflict that must be overcome?

The story itself is the foundation. It needs to be written clearly with its intended audience in mind and have a smooth flow while keeping the reader engaged. These are the components of Level I proofreading and editing. The best way to improve our individual skills, as well as aid others, is to review and look specifically for these components.

Level II

Now we dig a little deeper into the story and look at the individual scenes and/or chapters within.

A solid story needs a strong plot, characters and some form of conflict to be resolved-something the protagonist needs to overcome. With Level II, these components come more to the forefront and should be looked at closely. The following questions should be asked as your piece is read:

Is there clear and consistent character and narration point of view throughout the writing?

Is there a mixture or good balance of narration and dialogue?

Is the dialogue truly dialogue or is it more conversation?

Can you, as the reader, feel the emotions of the characters?

Can you, as the reader, use most or all of your senses when reading (sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste)?

As stated in Level I, the story itself is the foundation, but Level II moves beyond that foundation and places the elements of the story beneath a magnifying glass. The scenes and chapters need to carry the story along, build tension, and cause the reader to ask questions, which make him or her want to keep reading, as well as be able to experience the situations taking place.

Level III

As we move through the levels to reach Level III, we reposition those scenes or chapters from beneath the magnifying glass and place them under the high-powered microscope.

In addition to a strong plot, characters, and some form of conflict, the mechanics and structure of the writing need to have strength. With Level III, the focus shifts from scenes and characters to the paragraphs and sentences used to create them. Level III could be looked at as a refining stage-sitting at the peak of the roof and looking down into the building itself. The following questions should be asked as your work is read:

Is there variation to the length of sentences and paragraphs-some short, some longer, some in-between?

Are there instances of repetition-redundant words or phrases?

Are weak words such as "that", "was", "had", "felt" avoided when possible for stronger word choices?

Are adverbs, or words ending in -ly, kept to a minimum?

Does each paragraph have a good mixture of beginning words-a variance instead of repeatedly beginning with "The" for example?

Does a new paragraph begin for different speakers when dialogue is present or for new events of action?

Are the sentences written with active rather than passive verbs?

In Level II proofreading and editing, the scenes and chapters need to carry the story along, build tension, and cause the reader to ask questions, making him or her want to keep reading. For Level III, the words used to create the story and how those words are arranged and chained together into sentences and paragraphs become the stars at center stage. If you look at proofreading and editing from now on in Levels, the task may seem more manageable and less daunting.

Before proceeding to the next section of the series, read some of your own pieces of writing. Use the information from this and the previous sections of the series to get a feel for what 'errors' you seem to make commonly when you write and jot them down for future reference. Remember, be honest with yourself concerning your work, the rewards will be greater in the end. You can do it!

Previously in the Series:

Proofreading and Editing Series Part 1

Proofreading and Editing Series Part 2

Next in the Series:

Proofreading and Editing Series Part 4