Editing
Editing your essay means checking, and improving when necessary, the words you've chosen and the sentences in which those words appear. As you edit, you'll read through each paragraph a number of times, paying careful attention to sentences and the words that comprise them. While some students can edit effectively on the computer, others find it easier to use a hard copy of their essay. Unlike revising, which entails the possible reworking of large parts of your essay, editing is a word-by-word and sentence-by-sentence task. Taking pen to paper may help you focus more closely on the pieces that make up your essay, rather than the work as a whole.
A WORD ABOUT PLAGIARISM
You are probably aware of the many Internet sites offering essays for sale, and resources claiming they have essays that work. What you may not realize is that admissions committees know about them too. In fact, they can easily check suspicious essays against those found on the Internet and published in books. Having even a phrase or two in common with one of these essays constitutes plagiarism.
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense, and will disqualify you from consideration by the school(s) to which you're applying. It's too high a price to pay after all of the work you've done to get yourself this far. The advice is simple: write your own essay, one that provides a glimpse into who you are and what you're about. Your ideas and your words must be your own.
As you read your essay, ask yourself the following questions. Circle any problems as you encounter them. You might also want to make a quick note in the margin with ideas about how to fix the problem(s).
- Are all of your ideas and details necessary? Do they relate appropriately to the topic?
- Do you repeat yourself? Rework your point so that you say it well the first time, and remove any repetitious words and phrases.
- Do you have enough details? Look through your essay for generalities, and make them more specific.
- Do you reinforce each point with a concrete and/or personal example?
- Is your sentence structure varied? Sentences should not all be the same length, nor should they all be repetitive in any other way, such as all beginning with I.
- Are there any clichés or other types of overused language?
- Do you use the active voice whenever possible?
- Are there too many or too few adjectives and adverbs?
After you've read through your essay a few times and highlighted any areas that need improving, focus on one problem at a time. For example, if a point isn't made clearly and directly, or if it's too general, add a phrase or a sentence to clear it up. Notice how the edit of the following sentence moves it from telling to showing.
- Telling: I stay in shape for my sports teams all year.
- Showing: I stay physically active during the year. I play football and basketball, and in the off-season run and lift weights.
The first sentence is vague, and tells very little about the author. By adding the specific things the writer does to stay in shape year-round, the reader better understands the point, and the writer.
If you're starting to worry about every idea, word, and comma, take a deep breath and relax. While your goal should be to produce an error-free essay that's written as well as you're able to make it, many admissions counselors say they'd rather read an interesting and unique essay rather than a perfect one that reveals nothing about its writer.
In some instances, your point may get lost if you go off on a tangent, or include information that doesn't support it. In this case, you should pare away unnecessary words, phrases, or sentences. In the following example, a sentence about green tea simply clutters the paragraph. Compare the revised sentences to see how the author tightened up her essay.
- Before: The day after that I walked over to my neighbor's house and discussed with her the history of her property. She made us some green tea, which really hit the spot on such a chilly fall day. During the course of our discussion I found out that in the early 1900's the land was part of the sprawling Mitchell dairy farm.
- After: The day after that, I walked over to my neighbor's house and discussed with her the history of her property; it turned out that in the early 1900's the land was part of the sprawling Mitchell dairy farm.
Other types of problems may be fixed by reviewing grammar. Check to be sure, for example, that you use the active rather than passive voice. Note the freshness and originality of the second example as compared to the first:
- Before: A moving speech was made by our principal, and there was much grief and love expressed in the tears of Al's friends.
- After: I listen to our principal make a moving speech, and then saw Al's friends break down as they tried to express their love and grief for him.
Also look for clichés as you edit. Replace any overused phrases and images with fresh words that are uniquely your own. Consider the following sentence—it seems conscious of the fact that it is boring and unoriginal, as the phrase behind the scenes is in quotation marks:
- Before: My interest in an accounting career was inspired predominantly by my parents' business. Throughout my childhood I was exposed to the "behind the scenes" aspects of operating a small family business, and took great interest in the financial components of the operations.
Take look at the author's revision. The writer reworked the sentences, making them more personal and original, and followed the advice of showing rather than simply telling. Notice the use of sensory images that bring the reader into the scene.
- After: Some of my earliest memories are of sitting behind the counter in my family's feed store. I would listen to the ring of the cash register, and watch as my mother carefully entered the sales in a large book. I became fascinated with the rows of numbers—a fascination that continues to this day as I plan a career in accounting.
The goal of editing is to make certain your essay works well on the level of sentences and words. By checking and correcting your writing this closely, you can make your application essay more personal. Eliminate words and phrases that don't work, and add details that show the reader who you are. After success fully completing the editing process, your writing should be fresh and original, and there should be enough variation to keep your audience interested.
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