Editing strategies

Common errors in academic texts can negatively affect the clarity of meaning and analysis. Equally importantly, spelling, punctuation and basic grammar errors show that you have not taken the time to edit your work, which makes a poor impression on readers and importantly, the marker. It is therefore important to edit your final draft carefully, to identify potential errors in the following areas:

A suitable academic style: common errors

• Incomplete sentences
• Overly long sentences
• Splitting paragraphs on one topic
• Links between sentences are not clear
• Links between paragraphs are not clear
• Incorrect use of linking words look at: What is flow? and Common mistakes using linking words
• Incorrect use of full stops, commas, semi-colons and colons look at: Punctuation

A suitable academic style: common errors

• Statements are vague or too general
• Not adopting a cautious tone which suggest a possibility or potential outcome from your analysis; ideas, views or issues are expressed too strongly, too definitively
• An everyday, ‘chatty’ tone is evident in writing
• An overly personal tone is adopted – overuse of I, we and you

For more detailed explanation read Andy Gillett’s Using English for Academic Purposes

Clear, appropriate reference to academic sources

• Lack of knowledge of referencing conventions in the text
• Limited or inappropriate use of reporting verbs