How many stages you require depends on the text, for example its length and
complexity, and the restrictions of time placed upon you. Whether you do one
or more possible tasks at each stage is a matter of judgment.
Check List
In your editing the following items, in the order in which they are set out here,
should be a useful check list:
§
Structure. We have considered how to check structure in the
earlier discussion of structure.
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Most fundamentally it is necessary to check
to see that the text flows logically. Ensure that the major points of an argument
are clearly expressed and are arranged in proper order. Check that sentences
and paragraphs flow properly.
§
Headings. These should reflect and therefore portray the
structure. Ideally extract them from the text (which can be done by your word
processing program).
When you view just the headings you get more than a
decent idea of the overall structure uncluttered by the details of the text. You
can also rephrase the headings so that they better convey the content or
significance of what lies beneath them and better relate to the other headings.
§
Footnotes and references.
§
Grammar, syntax and spelling. When you edit for spelling errors a
good trick is to read the sentences backwards. By doing this you avoid being
distracted and borne along by the flow of the prose which makes it easy to
skip a spelling error. Instead you see only the individual words.
§
Rhythm and style.
Reading Aloud
Reading aloud of a text has advantages. It engages the ear rather than the eye
so it refreshes. It is the test for the rhythm of the prose. It also tests coherence
because if the listener cannot follow the reading it suggests that the text
requires more editing. There are two ways to use this technique –
read your
own work to someone else and have someone else read your work to you (and
possibly one or more other persons as well).
Stopping Point
But I never really stop, I never leave anything alone. Everyone knows that
about me: I am always chipping away, trying to get it right.
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Most writers will say that when they come back and look at what they have
written they always locate an area in which they might make improvements.
This raises the question as to how good the final version can be. This question
has to be answered in a variety of situations so the best that can be done as
general advice is to address some of the considerations.
___________________
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Chapter 3 General Structure of a Text
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Nick Enright The Sydney Morning Herald 16 October 1996
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