Revising & Editing Tips

Today's classroom notes:

The major parts of the revising and editing section of the sophomore TAKS test can be remembered by the acronym CUPSSSS (think of a cup with a snake in it, but a friendly snake, OK?).

Capitalization

Primarily proper nouns -- people's names, brand names, landmarks, groups/associations, cities, states, countries, planets, languages, etc. -- but occasionally the first word of a sentence; possibly the pronoun "I." Usually involves a word that should be capitalized and isn't.

• "the lake" vs. "Bachman Lake"


• "the bridge" vs. "Golden Gate Bridge

Usage

Any of a number of ways to make sure that the correct word is used given the context of the sentence.

• Verb Tense: Past vs. Present


• Subject/Verb Agreement: Singular vs. Plural


• Adverb vs. Adjective (strongly vs. strong)


• Word choice: accept vs. except


• Transition words

Most correct Revising & Editing answers will be based on usage.

Punctuation

Usually a missing comma or quotation mark, though occasionally a comma or quotation mark that doesn't belong; also periods, semicolons, question marks.

Spelling

You're on your own without dictionary access, so eliminate other choices if you're not 90% certain the word is misspelled.

Style

Usually a matter of finding the word that matches the tone of the selection. Most likely a matter of finding an academic/serious/professional word instead of a casual/slang word.

Sentence Combination/Revision

"How would you combine sentences X and Y?" "How can the ideas of sentences P and Q be combined? "How should sentence N be revised?"

I have NEVER seen the correct answer

• have a period keeping the answer as two "sentences" (usually one or both is/are not a complete sentence);


• join the two sentences with just a comma;


• join the two sentences with a semicolon and a FANBOY.

Furthermore, the answer is SELDOM

• one of the two longest options (remember, you're combining, which meants taking redundant material out; sometimes the sentence/ideas will be linked with a FANBOY or WABU, which can keep the answer longer than most);


• one that has three or more commas.

Plus a bonus S:

Sequence

The best answer usually involves putting sentences in a paragraph into chronological (time) order or eliminating a sentence with unnecessary information.