Practice 4: Self-Editing, Peer-Editing and Proof-reading

Self-Editing

Definition Paragraph: 

Format 

- My paragraph is in the correct format (centered title, first line indented, margins on both sides, double-spaced). → yes.

Content and Organization 

- My paragraph fits the assignment. I wrote a definition of a word, custom, or holiday. → kind of.

- My paragraph begins with a topic sentence that names the topic, the category or group, and distinguishing characteristic. → yes.

- My supporting sentences explain my topic completely. → yes.

- My paragraph ends with a concluding sentence. → yes.

- My paragraph has unity. → yes.

- My paragraph has coherence. → yes. 

- I use nouns and pronouns consistently. → yes.

- I use the following transition signals where they are appropriate: 

Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling 

- I checked my paragraph for correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. → yes.

Grammar and Sentence Structure 

- I used at least one adjective clause and one appositive in my paragraph and punctuated them correctly. 

- I checked my paragraph for fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. → yes.

Personal Grammar Trouble Spots 

- I checked my paragraph for errors. → yes.

Peer-Editing 

Proof-Reading 

     Capital Punishment is the most awful penalty that a state can employ. Although its use has declined worldwide in the last 50 years, it is still practiced in a significant number of countries, including China and the United States. It has both strong opposition and strong support, which leads to fierce debates about its effectiveness. Supporters of capital punishment argue that it deters criminals from committing big crimes, such as murder, because they know they risk death themselves. Although critics argue that most murders are committed without planning and research shows that the murder rate is no higher in countries which haven’t got the death penalty, they also say that everyone should have a chance of reforming, which may be achieved by a long period of imprisonment, and that state execution is an inhumane act. You can see that this is a subject that creates strong feelings, and, clearly, this controversy is likely to continue for many years.