editing worksheet

writer (of paper): __________________ editor (you): __________________

1. X-ray the paper. Skipping the introduction, write in the margin next to each paragraph a brief statement of the main point of the paragraph. A short phrase should be enough.
2. Record the results of the x-ray here (write down the phrases from the margins, in order, each on a separate line):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Do the various parts of the discussion form a coherent argument? (Answer these questions):

    a) Does the order make sense? Can you see how to get from one point to the next?

    b) Are there any steps missing?

    c) Are there any things that don’t belong with the others?

    4. What’s the main argument (or thesis, or hypothesis)?
    Based on your x-ray, write a simple statement of the argument (a single sentence):

5. Read the introduction and underline the thesis statement. Compare your statement of the argument with the paper’s.

a) Is the thesis presented clearly and directly?

 

 

b) Based on the x-ray, does the paper actually do what the introduction says it will do?

 

 

c) Does the introduction keep to the point? Is there extra "fluff" that doesn’t stick to the main point of the thesis and paper? If there is, note it in the margin.

 

 

 

6. Does each paragraph offer evidence for its main point?

In the other margin (the one that doesn’t have the x-ray), check each piece of evidence (usually a quotation or reference to the text).

For each piece of evidence, answer these questions in the margin:

a) Does it support the main claim of the paragraph?

b) Is the quotation (or textual reference) explained and/or discussed?

c) Does the discussion account for what you notice in the quotation? Is there more in the quotation than the author discusses?

 

 

7. Take out the trash.
   After you’ve marked the argument and the supporting evidence, take out the trash. Remove anything else that doesn’t serve one of these functions.