EDITING

WHAT IS EDITING
Introduction

When you edit, you check your writing for punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, and sentence errors.

An editing checklist can help you keep track of what you need to do when you are editing. Learning Essentials
provides two ways to see an editing checklist:

 Click "Student Tools" and "Project Assistance" and then choose "Editing Checklist."
 If you use a Learning Essentials template with an associated writing project assistance file, Tab 4 contains the
editing checklist.

When you are able to answer each question "yes," you know your editing is finished.

TOOLS FOR EDITING

Using Word to edit Microsoft Word provides a number of aids to help you edit your writing:
 Spelling and grammar checker
 Other tools
 Edit menu

In Microsoft Word 2007 these aids can be found on the following tabs:
 Spelling and grammar checker is located on the Review tab.
 Editing is on the Home tab.
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SPELLING THE CHECKER

Starting the Checker The spelling and grammar checker in Word can help you catch errors in the following:
 spelling and grammar.
 Punctuation
 Capitalization

To start the spelling and grammar checker, click "Tools" and select "Spelling and Grammar."

Using the Checker The spelling and grammar checker will begin scanning from the cursor’s current position. The left
side of the checker window shows a display:

 The top window in the display highlights the problem

 The bottom window gives suggested changes. To select a specific change, click on it.

EXAMPLE:
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Making Changes

The checker gives you these options:

 Ignore Once: Skips this word once.
 Ignore All: Skips this word wherever it appears.
 Add to Dictionary: Adds this word to the checker's dictionary.
 Change: Changes the word to the highlighted suggestion.
 Change All: Wherever it appears, changes this word to the highlighted suggestion.
 AutoCorrect: Automatically fixes errors.

Catching What the Spell-Checker Might Miss The spell-checker isn't foolproof. Use the editing checklist to check
your work for these types of errors:

 Mixed-up words: The spell-checker won't notice that "thought" should be "though."
 Misspelled names: The spell-checker won't notice that More's name is misspelled as "Moore."
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CHECKING PUNCTUATION
Checking Punctuation The grammar checker can help you check for errors in punctuation, such as the following:

 Misused apostrophes
 Double punctuation
 Incorrect end punctuation

Note: The grammar checker did not notice the missing quote mark before "no place." The editing checklis
can help you finish checking your punctuation.

CHECKING CAPITALIZATION
Checking Capitalization The grammar checker can help you check for these errors in capitalization:

 Missing capitals on first words

 Incorrect capitalization of proper nouns or proper adjectives

Note: The grammar checker did not notice that "New world" should have two capitals. The editing checklist can
help you finish checking capitalization.
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ADDITIONAL EDITING TOOLS

Using Other Tools

For additional editing help, click on "Tools" and select from one of the following:

 Research: Help you find synonyms for a selected word in the thesaurus or look up the definition of a word in
the dictionary.
 Word Count: Tells you the number of words in a document or in a selected portion of text.
 Track Changes: Lets you see your original copy as well as any changes you make.

In Microsoft Word 2007 these aids can be found on the following tabs:

 Review/Proofing/Thesaurus: Help you find synonyms for a selected word in the thesaurus or look up the def-
inition of a word in the dictionary.
 Review/Proofing/Word Count: Tells you the number of words in a document or in a selected portion of text.
 Review/Proofing/Tracking: Lets you see your original copy as well as any changes you make.

Using the Edit Menu

The Edit menu also can help you edit your writing. Click on "Edit" and select one of the following:

 Undo: Reverses your last action

 Repeat: Repeats your last action
 Cut: Moves the highlighted text to the clipboard
 Copy: Copies the highlighted text to the clipboard
 Office Clipboard: Displays contents of the clipboard
 Paste: Inserts text from the clipboard
 Select All: Chooses the entire document contents
 Find or Replace: Searches for certain text and replaces it
 Go To: Jumps to a certain part of the text
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In Word 2007 Editing tools are moved to the following tabs:
 Undo (on the Quick Access Toolbar): Reverses your last action.
 Repeat (on the Quick Access Toolbar): Repeats your last action.
 Cut (On the Home/Clipboard tab): Moves the highlighted text to the clipboard.
 Copy (On the Home/Clipboard tab): Copies the highlighted text to the clipboard.
 Clipboard (On the Home/Clipboard tab): Displays contents of the clipboard.
 Paste (On the Home/Clipboard tab): Inserts text from the clipboard.
 Select All (On the Home/Editing/Select tab): Chooses the entire document contents.
 Find or Replace (On the Home/Editing tab): Searches for certain text and replaces it.
 Go To (On the Home/Editing/Find tab): Jumps to a certain part of the text.