1. Revision: CONVENTIONS Anything a copy editor might deal with falls under conventions: spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, grammar and usage. Conventions are the editing standards that we apply to a piece of writing to make it mechanically correct and, therefore, easy to read. We edit for conventions because we care about the reader. We want him or her to be able to follow our writing effortlessly and become immersed in our ideas, which can only happen if he or she is not bogged down by errors.

2. CONVENTIONS ?Spelling completely under control (0-1 mistakes) ?Punctuation used correctly and effectively ?Capitalization is correct ?Consistently appropriate usage (verb tense, subject-verb agreement, etc.) ?Clear mastery of the rules of standard English ?Interesting, appropriate, and enhancing title

3. Commas ?In order to understand when you use a comma, you must understand clauses. ?Clause presentation Clause presentationClause presentation ?Clause practice

4. Commas ?Most of the time a comma is used if it fits one of eight rules. If one of these situations is not present, then you probably don’t need a comma. ?Review comma rule sheet ?Comma practice

5. Conventions: Comma Check ? Read each sentence of your essay and evaluate for comma use. If it has a comma, which comma rule are you using? Put the # of the rule over the comma. If the comma use doesn’t fit one of the rules, eliminate the comma.If it has a comma, which comma rule are you using? Put the # of the rule over the comma. If the comma use doesn’t fit one of the rules, eliminate the comma. If the sentence doesn’t have a comma, should it? Check to see if the sentence fits any of the situations on the comma rules sheet. If it does, add the comma and site the rule. If not, put a check next to the sentence so that you know you checked it.If the sentence doesn’t have a comma, should it? Check to see if the sentence fits any of the situations on the comma rules sheet. If it does, add the comma and site the rule. If not, put a check next to the sentence so that you know you checked it.

6. Read Aloud ?Read your essay aloud to yourself. If you hear something that doesn’t sound right, stop and re-read the part that didn’t sound right. If you read it again and it still sounds wrong, put a question mark next to the awkward part and continue reading.

7. Mechanics ?Make sure each sentence is a complete thought and makes sense by using the frame: It’s obvious that ___. ?Circle misspelled words or words that you’re not sure of so that you can check them in a dictionary. Do NOT rely only on spell check. If you don’t know how a word is spelled, you could easily choose the wrong word from the list spell check gives you. ?Make sure each word at the beginning of each sentence and proper nouns are capitalized.

8. Mechanics ?Check punctuation. Check your comma use. Make sure any abbreviations have periods. Example: U.S. not US. ?Circle each verb. Check to see if verb tense changes between sentences. Verb tense should remain the same throughout the essay. ?If you used any vivid or advanced words, make sure they mean what you intended to say.

9. Titles ?Look at your own title. Is it effective or can it be improved? ?Looking back over your essay, what is the key point that should be hinted at in your title? ?What are some creative ways you can get your reader to start thinking about that key point? Jot down some ideas for titles that will hook the reader, relate to your essay and prepare the reader to read the introduction. ?NOTE: Do NOT punctuate your OWN titles with quotation marks, italics, or underlining!

10. Titles ?Title of the essay is size 12, Times New Roman, and is centered on the line underneath the heading. ?Title of the essay is NOT underlined, bolded, italicized or put into quotation marks. ?Title of any work you are discussing (article, website, law case) is appropriately punctuated.

11. Revision: PRESENTATION Presentation is about the look of the piece— its physical appearance, plain and simple. A visually appealing piece is a welcome mat. It invites the reader in. The whole purpose of this trait is to enhance readability—to make information enticing and accessible. Layout might include appropriate fonts, white space, graphic organizers, illustrations, and general presentation on the page.

12. PRESENTATION ?Enticing, pleasing layout—follows all the instructions for layout ?Heading is typed, complete, and in the upper right- hand corner. ?Font is Times New Roman, size 12 ?Text color is black. Paper color is white ?Text on only the front side of the paper ?The essay has one-inch margins on every side. ?Essay is double-spaced, but there are no extra skipped lines in the text ?Each paragraph’s first line is indented. ?Works Cited page is formatted correctly

13. Presentation ?Check for the following. If something isn’t correct, make a note to fix it. Heading is typed, complete, and in the upper right-hand corner.Heading is typed, complete, and in the upper right-hand corner. Font is Times New Roman, size 12Font is Times New Roman, size 12 Text color is black. Paper color is whiteText color is black. Paper color is white Text on only the front side of the paperText on only the front side of the paper The essay has one-inch margins on every side.The essay has one-inch margins on every side. Essay is double-spaced, but there are no extra skipped lines in the textEssay is double-spaced, but there are no extra skipped lines in the text Each paragraph’s first line is indented.Each paragraph’s first line is indented.

14. Homework 1.Finish all revisions & edits. 2.Put essay in the correct layout using the guidelines given. 3.Print a newly revised copy of your essay and bring it to class on TOMORROW.