The key idea
You can edit a short text well by checking meaning, order, and language separately.
What is it for?
Learn to check a text in three steps. First, check the meaning. Next, check the order. Finally, check the language.
What you need to know
- Check that your text answers the task.
- Make sure every important point is there.
- Put your ideas in a clear order.
- Check verbs, spelling, punctuation, and capital letters.
- Fix one kind of problem at a time.
Pass 1: Check the meaning
Read your text and think about the task. Does your text answer the question? Does it include every important point? Can the reader understand what to do?
- Read the task again.
- Check every point on your list.
- Add missing information before fixing small mistakes.
Task: Tell your friend where and when to meet.
Your text needs a place and a time.
Meet me at the bus stop.
The place is clear, but the time is missing.
Pass 2: Check the order
Now check how your ideas fit together. Start with the main information. Put details in a clear order. Finish with a short ending.
- Use paragraphs when your text has different parts.
- Use words like first, next, then, and finally.
- Make sure your beginning and ending are clear.
First, we bought some food. Then, we went home.
The linking word shows the order.
We went home. First, we bought some food.
Put the events in the order they happened.
Pass 3: Check the language
Now check your English. Look for mistakes in verbs, spelling, and punctuation. Check capital letters, too. Do not worry about these small mistakes during Pass 1.
- Check that verbs match the time.
- Check that words are spelled correctly.
- Use capital letters at the start of sentences.
- Use full stops and commas where needed.
Yesterday, I walked to school.
The past verb and capital letter are correct.
Yesterday, I walk to school
Change walk to walked and add a full stop.
Simple ways to find mistakes
Use small tricks to check your work. Read the text aloud. Take a short break, then read it again. You can also read the last sentence first. Keep a list of mistakes you often make.
- Read aloud to find missing words.
- Take a short break before your final check.
- Read the last sentence first to notice mistakes.
- Write down your common mistakes and check them each time.
I went to the shop yesterday. I bought bread.
Reading aloud can help you find missing words.
I go to school yesterday.
Add this verb mistake to your personal list.
How to do it, step by step
- Read the task and your first draft.
- Pass 1: Check the meaning and add missing points.
- Pass 2: Put ideas in order and add linking words.
- Pass 3: Check verbs, spelling, capitals, and punctuation.
- Read the final text once more.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| First, + main idea. | First, I checked the task. | First, I wrote about my trip. |
| Next, + action. | Next, I added the missing time. | Next, I put the ideas in order. |
| Then, + action. | Then, I checked the verbs. | Then, I corrected the spelling. |
| Finally, + action. | Finally, I read my text again. | Finally, I added the full stops. |
| I need to add + missing information. | I need to add the meeting time. | I need to add the price. |
| I need to change + incorrect word. | I need to change go to went. | I need to change eat to ate. |
| The ideas are in the right order. | The ideas are in the right order now. | The steps are in the right order. |
| I checked + part of the text. | I checked the capital letters. | I checked the past verbs. |
UK / US: Some words have different spellings in British and American English. For example, British English uses colour; American English uses color. Choose one form and use it consistently.
Model text
A Message About a Market Visit
Before
yesterday i go to the market. i buy apples. the market is big my friend come too we eat lunch. i like the apples. they was red and sweet. after lunch we walk home. it was a good day
Pass 1: The text needs clear details about the visit. Pass 2: The events need a better order. Pass 3: Several verbs, capitals, and full stops need changes.
After
Yesterday, I went to the market with my friend. First, we bought some apples. The market was big, and many people were there. Then, we ate lunch at a small cafe. The apples were red and sweet. After lunch, we walked home together. We talked about our day on the way. I enjoyed the visit because the weather was sunny. Finally, we went into our homes and rested. It was a good day, and I want to visit the market again soon.
Pass 1: The text gives clear details about the visit. Pass 2: First, then, after, and finally show the order. Pass 3: The verbs, capitals, and punctuation are corrected.
Common mistakes
✗ I go to the market yesterday.
✓ I went to the market yesterday.
Use went for an action in the past.
✗ yesterday, I bought bread.
✓ Yesterday, I bought bread.
Start a sentence with a capital letter.
✗ I bought apples I ate lunch.
✓ I bought apples. I ate lunch.
Use a full stop between these two sentences.
✗ My friend come with me.
✓ My friend came with me.
Use came to talk about the past.
✗ First I ate lunch. Then I went shopping
✓ First, I ate lunch. Then, I went shopping.
Use commas after these linking words and a full stop at the end.
✗ The apples was red.
✓ The apples were red.
Use were with a plural subject.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Read the task and list the points you need.
- Check the meaning and add missing information.
- Put the ideas in order and add linking words.
- Check verbs, spelling, capitals, and punctuation.
- Read the final text aloud.
Check
- Does my text answer the task?
- Did I include every important point?
- Are my ideas in a clear order?
- Did I check verbs, spelling, capitals, and punctuation?
Practice
Choose the correct pass
Choose the pass that fixes each problem.
1.The text does not say where the meeting is.
Pass 1 checks whether the text includes the needed information.
2.The last event comes before the first event.
Pass 2 puts the ideas and events in a clear order.
3.The text says, I goed home yesterday.
Pass 3 fixes incorrect verb forms.
4.The text does not answer one part of the question.
Pass 1 checks that every part of the task is answered.
5.The text has no clear beginning or ending.
Pass 2 checks the beginning, order, and ending.
6.The word monday starts with a small letter.
Pass 3 checks capital letters and spelling.
Fix one language mistake
Correct the one mistake in each sentence.
1.I walk to school yesterday.
Use walked for an action in the past.
2.she likes apples.
Start the sentence with a capital letter.
3.We buyed some bread.
The past form of buy is bought.
4.My bag is heavy
Put a full stop at the end of the sentence.
5.I visited my freind.
The correct spelling is friend.
6.They was at home.
Use were with they.
Check your editing knowledge
Read each sentence. Choose true or false.
1.Pass 1 checks that the text answers the task.
Pass 1 checks the meaning and missing information.
2.Pass 2 checks spelling and capital letters.
Pass 3 checks spelling and capital letters.
3.Linking words can help readers follow events.
Words like first and then show the order.
4.You should fix every spelling mistake before checking meaning.
Check the meaning before you fix small language mistakes.
5.Reading your text aloud can help you find mistakes.
Reading aloud can help you notice missing words.
6.A final check is not useful after editing.
A final check can help you find mistakes you missed.
Match the problem and the pass
Match each problem with the correct pass or fix.
1.The text misses the meeting time.
2.The events are in the wrong order.
3.The text says goed instead of went.
4.A sentence starts with a small letter.
5.The text needs a clear ending.
Now write
Your task
Edit this draft in three passes. Write the final version. Say what you changed in each pass. Draft: i go to the market yesterday. buy apples. the market is big my friend come too we eat lunch
Word bank
yesterdayfirstnextthenfinallymarketapplesfriendlunchboughtwentcamebigtogetherhome
Sentence starters
- In Pass 1, I added...
- In Pass 2, I put...
- In Pass 3, I changed...
- First, I went...
- Then, my friend...
- Finally, we...