Revising and Editing
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Date
2018-09
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General Studies Division, University of Ilorin, Ilorin
Abstract
REVISING AND EDITING
Introduction
Writing is one of the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Writing is considered the most difficult, tasking and demanding of the four language skills because the writing process calls for the writer’s rapt attention. Apart from the information a piece of writing contains, it also tells us much about the ability of the writer. A good writer is that person who is able to combine ideas, beliefs, styles and all other activities involved in effective writing.
In this chapter, we shall discuss revising and editing as a writing process. The writing process has only just begun when the writer writes the last word of the first draft. It is in the process of revising and editing that the draft takes shape and becomes a piece of art. Writing according to Smith (2003) is an art. A good writer continues to work on a piece until it has the desired shape. In writing, revising and editing are two distinct processes. Revising is intentionally looking at ways of improving your writing. Editing on the other hand, is the process of correcting the mechanics of your writings like sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. We shall start our discussion with revision as a writing process.
A perception of writing as a process considers writing as a major task involving a number of steps which must be taken one after the other so as to have a good product. The following three following three groups of major activities have been variously identified.
1. Pre-writing
2. Writing
3. Post- writing (revising, editing).
Description
Keywords
Wiriting, Language skills, Revising, Editing