Chapter+4+Editing


 * =Elements of Teacher's Role in Editing=


 * //"The editing step in the writing process provides time for the author to correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and the overall appearance of the selection. . . The editing goal is for the author to improve the work by using the suggestions of others as a step to learning how to self-edit" (79).//


 * - Give students the opportunity to edit their own work** Editing their own work reinforces proper mechanics


 * - Avoid red marks and negative comments** Everyone makes mistakes in writing, even the most accomplished writers.


 * - Plan partner or small group conferences for editing** Students do not necessarily know the proper format for punctuation, grammar, or spelling, so a conference with a teacher might be more effective in fixing mechanical errors.

Although often considered an after-thought in writing, proper mechanics is important to produce clear, accurate, credible, and organized information. A formalist approach to teaching writing has become farther and farther away from the forefront of writing instruction. Mechanics cannot be the primary means of evaluation and assessment in the instruction of writing since it does not teach students how to be better "writers." Of course, things like grammar, punctuation, spelling, quotations, and other mechanical aspects of writing are important for writers, since readers can become distracted or even discredit poorly constructed writing as false or unintelligible. The more students work with mechanics and can correct these errors by themselves, the less focus students will have on strictly focusing on mechanics and the more they can focus on the overall quality and meaning of the text.