How To Edit

While you are writing your first draft, make your mental editor leave the room. You need to get your ideas down.
After you are finished your first draft, ask yourself, "Does this piece of writing say what I want it to say, and nothing else? "
Take out anything that isn't necessary. Add anything that is necessary. Move things around until you like what it says.
This is your second draft.
NOW, you can proofread it.
Read it out loud to yourself. This will help you find missing words, extra words, spelling errors, and confusing bits.
Read it out loud to another person. If he doesn't understand something you have written, that's not his fault. You need to be clearer.
Then have the other person read it and suggest any corrections (spelling and grammar, but also clarity, brevity, and good word choice)
Make the changes. This is your third draft.
NOW give it to Dr. Turner
She will put a check-mark next to lines that still have spelling, grammar, or other problems.
Find the problems, and fix them.
Put any words you have misspelled in your English Notes journal.
Hand in your final copy.