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The English Critical Essay
by Linda Hutcheon and Nancy Kang
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3. Checklist for Rewriting (and Proofreading)
Always proofread from a printout, not a computer screen.
3.1 Check paragraphing for length, transitional links, and internal
coherence.
3.2 Check word choice and review your style. Is each word really the
one you want? Use a dictionary; never use a thesaurus or dictionary of
synonyms.
3.3 Check grammar. Running a grammar checker can offer you choices for
revising, but will not catch all your errors. The most common problems
to watch out for are:
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sentence fragments (incomplete sentences)
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run-on sentences or use of a comma where a period or semicolon is required
between statements
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punctuation (within and at the end of sentences; after quotations)
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possessives (remember the apostrophe)
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agreement of verb and subject (make both either singular or plural)
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unclear antecedent reference of pronouns (watch for: it, they, which)
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faulty parallelism in paired constructions
3.4 Check spelling and typing for possible errors. Use a dictionary if
you have any doubts. Run a spelling checker, but understand that it will
not catch all errors.
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