Editing Log

When you edit, you check your writing for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The more your readers must pay attention to errors in your writing, the less attention they'll pay to what you have to say.

 In a section of your notebook or learning journal, record the errors you have made in your returned assignments. (They are marked with a check mark above the error.)

Date your entry and give the title of your essay. For each check mark, identify the type of error. Rewrite the sentence, correcting the error.

I was contacted by someone in the athletics department and mentioned that the man in the jumpsuit had recommended me for the job.

When You Wish Upon A Star (Assignment 1)

Born out of wedlock,…            When it was read, it sounded as if my parents were born out of wedlock and misconstrued the meaning.

…do”,   The problem was that the comma was out of the parenthesis. It should look like this: … do,”

…mothers, who… The problem here was a misusage of a comma. It should read:  My mom had to go in search of government assistance and received W.I.C. (Women, Infants, & Children) which was designed to aid low-income mothers who were unable to provide sufficient fundamental needs to her child.

… on … The problem was word usage. It should read: My parents began having relationship issues, and at the age of eleven, decided that it was better to go their separate ways, after several years of arguing and abuse between each other.

… turrets. I think the error here was inaccurate information. It should say: turret syndrome

…adult; realizing… The problem was the misuse of a semi-colon. It didn’t separate the ideas properly. It should read: I made changes in my life embracing my new role as an adult realizing the true meaning of a greater calling.

…year, and… I misused a comma right here. It should read: I was able to excel making the varsity baseball team my freshman year and varsity basketball team my sophomore year.

…spell; talking… The problem was the misuse of a semi-colon. It didn’t separate the ideas properly. I eventually got rid of this sentence and the paragraph it was in entirely because it wasn’t complimenting my essay.

…those whom which I cared… This sentence was also omitted entirely.

…couple weeks… It wasn’t’ a smooth flow into the sentence. I changed it to look like this: Weeks later, I was contacted by someone in the athletics department and mentioned that the man in the jumpsuit had recommended me for the job.

…undergrad. The problem with this word choice was that it was already understood. So I omitted it completely.

Sex: Are You Involved? (Assignment #2)

… by… It was a problem with clarity and choice. It should read: This was a story that had been published by Spike TVs “1,000 Ways to Die.”

… it, why … It wasn’t clear what “it” means. It should read: … knowing that everyone else around you is sexually active. Why aren’t you?

… interviewee’s… It should read: Here is one interviewee’s response:

… changes, and… It was a comma error. It should read: Many experience the transformations of bodily changes and are now becoming attracted to the opposite sex.

… neglection… Was a grammar error. The word was omitted.

… lives. Left the reader without closure. It was later fixed for closure.

Is A Relationship Right For You? (Assignment 3)

Tennyson… The problem here was that I didn’t write it as a paraphrase, so it appeared as a direct quote. It should read: This paraphrase of Tennyson’s quote has…

… risk… The problem here was that I didn’t explain the risk so it is very open ended. It should read: But at such a high risk with your future being on the line, …

Well… The problem here was that when I started my sentence, it was really understood as a first step without it anyway. It should read: First I’d like to…

… lucky, that’s… The problem here was that I left this sentence fragmented. It should read: … consider yourself lucky. That’s right, I said lucky.

…. spouse … The problem here was meaning and clarity. After reading this I realized it led to a different understood meaning from what I had originated. It should read: … we tend to spend an over exaggerated amount of time and effort into that someone.

… 2… The problem here was that it was a lonely number and didn’t flow smoothly. It should read: … two…

… that… The problem here was that the sentence didn’t flow correctly so the word “that” wasn’t a good transition word. It should read: In a relationship, you meet someone and grow to develop strong feelings for them and choose to care about their well-being.

… validated… The problem here was the difficult meanings that were assumed when it was read. It should read: … and in the blink of an eye that relationship is over with, sometimes without closure or even peace of mind.

… woman, others ... The problem here was sentence structure. It should read: .. Rihanna had found Chris texting another woman. Others say it was because Rihanna gave Chris a sexually transmitted disease, …

… they’re… The problem here was wrong word usage. It should read: there

… neat … The problem here was spelling, it wasn’t the correct way to spell a certain word. It should read: near

… heir-line… The problem here was meaning and sentence word choice. It should read: Another is love, where there is no bond between you and a significant other, there is no normal conceivable way to continue your blood line.