MEPX
Chapter 10 of 10All chapters
  1. 1A method
  2. 2Subject and verb agreement
  3. 3Modifiers
  4. 4Parallel structure
  5. 5Pronouns
  6. 6Joining clauses
  7. 7Tense and sequence
  8. 8Comparisons
  9. 9Concision
  10. 10Editing your own work

Chapter 10 of 10

Editing your own work

Applying it outside a test.

A checklist

Check subjects against verbs, check every opening phrase against the subject that follows, check lists for parallel form, check pronouns for a single clear referent, then cut a tenth of the words.

  • Read aloud: the ear catches splices and run-ons quickly.
  • Edit in passes, one error type at a time.

Knowing the rule

Correcting by ear works until the ear is wrong. Knowing which rule was broken lets you defend the change and stops you introducing a new error while fixing one.