Self-Editing Process for Paragraphs and Essays- Use this before submitting your work!

Step 1: Circle the use of the first person "I" in your essay. If it does not refer to a personal experience, take it out.

Find phrases like "I believe that" or "in my opinion" and eliminate them.


Step 2: Circle all instances of they, we, us, and you, and eliminate them.

Write instead the specific group or subject you intend to mention.

Step 3: Proper Pronoun Reference
1.) Circle "this" wherever it appears in your essay.
2.) Draw an arrow to the one word to which "this" refers.
3.) If there is no one word to which "this" refers, rewrite the sentence so that there is, or so that the word or a descriptive phrase follows "this."


Step 4: Eliminate Wordiness
1.) Circle the following phrases at the beginning of sentences:

There is
There was
There are
There were
It is
It was
It may be

2.) Rephrase your sentence to eliminate these weak phrases.

Step 5: Using Strong Verbs
1.) Circle any of the following passive verbs in your essay:
be
am
is
are
was
were
been
being

2.) Revise your paper to eliminate at least half of them, using active verbs.