Seminar
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2013_cm241_unit_9.pptxInstructor: Vickidiane Muzika
CM241: Foundations of Technical Communications
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Instructor: Vickidiane Muzika
CM241: Foundations of Technical Communications
Instructor: Vickidiane Muzika
Unit 9: Revision
Agenda
Review the expectations for the Final Project
Answer your Final Project questions
Define revision, editing, and proofreading
Practice editing and proofreading strategies using MS Word
Unit 9 Final Project
Create a tutorial describing how to complete a task or process
Identify a specific audience requiring in-depth instruction in the topic of the tutorial and address your tutorial to that audience
Follow this superstructure:
Title
Introduction: 1-2 paragraphs providing background and context
Necessary Tools and Materials
Process
Conclusion
References (if tutorial includes words, ideas, or graphics from outside sources)
Requirements
Unit 9 Final Project
Use a formal tone reflecting a professional perspective
Use consistent and thoughtful document design principles (fonts, colors, headings, white-space, etc.)
Incorporate at least two visuals to support the text of your tutorial (screenshots, photos, charts, diagrams, tables, etc.)
Either include or mark the point at which you would include the digital media component of your project
Requirements
What questions do you have about your Final Project?
What is “revision”?
What is “revision”?
Revision focuses on the big picture, and helps us evaluate large issues, such as argument, analysis, or organization.
What is “editing”?
What is “editing”?
Editing focuses on the little details, and helps us evaluate smaller issues, such as grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, formatting, or spelling.
What is “proofreading”?
What is “proofreading”?
Proofreading is a final step before a manuscript goes to press. Although it can focus on the same issues as editing, proofreading is generally focused on even smaller issues, such as catching typos and formatting errors.
The Re-writing Process
| Revision | Editing | Proofreading | |
| Focus | Big picture Ideas of the text | Little picture Words of the text | Microscopic picture Final checks |
| Examples | Removing paragraphs/pages that do not contribute to your main point Reorganizing your paper around a new thesis | Correcting grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors Varying sentence structure Incorporating new vocabulary words | Correcting typos Adjusting document format |
| Stage | First | Middle | Last |
MS Word: Find
PC: control + F
Mac: command + F
MS Word: Find
| Error type | Control + F or Command + F | How to find it |
| First-person pronouns | Find: me, mine | |
| Second-person pronouns | Find: you | |
| Problems with in-text citations | Find: ( | |
| [Insert your ideas here!] |
MS Word: Find & Replace
PC: control + F
Mac: command + F
MS Word: Find & Replace
| Error type | Control + F or Command + F | How to find it |
| Commonly confused words such as their, they’re, there | Find: their Find: they’re Find: there | |
| Frequently mistyped words, such as “poplar” instead of “popular” | Find: poplar | |
| Punctuation errors, such as double periods | Find: .. | |
| [Insert your ideas here!] |
Editing strategies
Read your draft out loud
Print and read your draft
Take a break
Use the KU Writing Center
Create a personal style guide using professors’ feedback, areas you would like to improve, and mistakes you know you are likely to make
Sample personal style guide
| Issue | Correct | Incorrect | Strategy |
| Confusing their, they’re, and there | Their = possessive pronoun They’re = they are There = a place you can go | Do a “find” search for each of these words to make sure I have used them correctly | |
| I’m using the abbreviation 4mi half the time and writing out 4 miles the rest of the time – need to be consistent | 4 miles | 4mi | Do a “find” search for 4mi and replace each with 4 miles |
| [insert more issues here as I notice them] |
Looking back…
What skills did you gain from this class? How will they help you in your future classes and on the job?
Looking back…
What skills did you gain from this class? How will they help you in your future classes and on the job?
In what ways could this course have been even more helpful to you?
…and looking ahead
What new goals do you have for your technical communications?
…and looking ahead
What new goals do you have for your technical communications?
What will you do to achieve these goals?
Congratulations!
Questions?
Stick around after seminar
Post your Questions to “Course Questions”
E-mail me at [email protected]
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