AP Language & Composition

Mrs. Auman                                                         Personal Edit Tips

 

  1. Highlight the first word in each sentence.  Rewrite to avoid repetition, overuse of “I,” and overuse of single syllable sentence beginnings.

-    Find a new subject

-    Add an introductory phrase or word

-    Reorder the sentence to move an introductory phrase or word

 

  1. Eliminate the following words at the beginning of sentences: well, like, then. These are too conversational for academic analysis.

 

  1. Eliminate or combine with previous sentence coordinating conjunctions (but, and, so) or replace with another transition word.  OK to rarely use for impact.

 

  1. Eliminate I saw, think, remember, agree, felt, heard, etc.

 

  1. SYNTAX: vary sentences

ü      Vary sentence length to help keep reader interest.

ü      Avoid more than two sentences of the same length in a row.

ü      Use at least one very short sentence in the paragraph for attention-grabbing. Short sentences are powerful and draw the reader’s attention to significant ideas.

 

  1. Rewrite sentences that say: the reason is, the reason being, the reason is because…OR the author uses

 

  1. Eliminate deadwood

-          regardless of the fact that

-          due to the fact that

-          being that

-          at this point in time

-          it is believed that

-          in my opinion; I think

-          there is; there are

-          which and that

-          to be

-          it is; it was

-          as mentioned above/previously

 

  1. Read carefully for consistent point of view—avoid you.  Use first person (I, We) or third person (he, she, it, they).

 

  1. Check verbs for repetition, tense consistency (simple past is usually best), subject verb agreement, vividness (strolled, sauntered, stomped—instead of walked; argues, suggests, highlights—instead of says).

 

  1. Eliminate as many to be verbs as possible. 

-          I am, you were, he was, they were, we were; I have been, he has been, we had been, I am being; you are being, she was being.

 

  1. get rid of got.

 

  1. Don’t signpost (in conclusion, all in all, etc.)

 

  1. Check for sentence fragments: read your essay backwards, sentence-by-sentence. Does the “sentence” not make sense? If so, you probably have a fragment (missing either the subject or predicate).

 

  1. Make sure that your essay is a reflection of you.  Does it say what you want it to say? If it does not, change the essay so that it does!