Editing and proofreading are processes that enhance the quality of your assessment. Every assessment you submit should be edited and proofread, to ensure the work adheres to academic writing style — is formal, objective, concise, and precise — and communicates cohesively.
How does editing differ from proofreading?
Though often discussed interchangeably, editing and proofreading are distinct practices.
Editing is focused on revising the overall focus and structure of a written piece, to ensure content is clear, logically sequenced, and specifically answers the assignment question.
Proofreading is focused on refining a completed work, ensuring accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and referencing. This is usually the final step of the writing process before you submit your work.
Key tips
While you can edit and proofread throughout the whole drafting process — and this will help to minimise time at the tail end of your assessment work — it is especially important to edit and proofread before you submit your assessment.
It is also important not to try and edit & proofread simultaneously, otherwise you will do more of one at the expense of the other. For example, you might have a document that has perfect grammar and spelling, but there are structural issues that were ignored. Edit first, then proofread.
Finally, ensure you have time for editing and proofreading prior to assignment submission into your assessment workload. If possible, give yourself time off between finishing drafting and commencing editing & proofreading — ideally 24 hours — so you can assess your work with fresher, more objective eyes. Use the Assignment calculator to manage workload effectively.
Strategies for editing
You can use the list below as a checklist for editing. Items can be added or removed as relevant.
It is also useful to read your assessment instructions and marking rubric prior to editing, to gauge whether your draft work meets all the requirements.
Editing for argument
- Is the thesis statement (argument/key message) presented in the Introduction?
- Does the thesis statement address the assessment question?
- Does each subsequent paragraph advance or elaborate upon the thesis statement?
- Does the conclusion reiterate the thesis statement and have similar messaging to the Introduction?
- By the end of the assignment, has the thesis statement been satisfactorily supported with evidence?
Editing for structure
- Is the structure signposted in the Introduction? E.g.
- This essay examines X, Y, and Z
- Firstly, this essay considers X. Secondly, it discusses Y, etc.
- Does the structure logically follow from the thesis statement?
- Is the sequence of paragraphs logical?
- Do headings and sub-headings (e.g. in reports) signal structure clearly?
Editing for paragraphing
- Does each paragraph have a topic sentence establishing its theme/focus?
- Is that topic satisfactorily developed within the paragraph through explanation, evidence and examples?
- Is all evidence from other sources referenced?
- Does each sentence have a closing sentence linking back to the topic sentence or transitioning to the next paragraph?
- Have linking academic phrases been used to help the sentences cohere?
Editing for expression
- Does each sentence make sense?
- Are any sentences too long or complicated?
- Do any sentences express incomplete thoughts?
- If over the word count, can any information be cut or tightened?
- If under the word count, can any content be further developed, e.g. using further evidence?
- Is each sentence sufficiently ‘academic’ in tone?
Strategies for proofreading
You can use the list below as a checklist for proofreading. Items can be added or removed as relevant.
- Check for spelling mistakes
- Review for common grammatical and punctuation errors
- Word, Pages, or whatever application you are using for writing should have a built-in spelling and grammar detector. Turn this on to help you identify errors: use in British/Australian English mode.
- Check your in-text referencing and reference list/bibliography entries are consistent with the required referencing style.
Key tips
By the time you proofread, you will probably be sick of your assignment, so it is easy to be complacent at this late stage of the work. Find different ways to engage with the draft so you will be more alert to errors. For example, you might try:
- Reading your draft aloud when proofreading
- Printing your draft and proofreading first with pen and paper before implementing edits on your device
- Reading the draft out of order, e.g. starting with the conclusion and working backwards through it paragraph by paragraph
GenAI, editing and proofreading
This link provides information from the University of Wollongong about the permitted use of GenAI in assessments. Review this information and then check your Subject information to determine if GenAI can be used in the editing and proofreading process for this draft.