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c1C1 Advanced EnglishAdvanced writingWritingabout 18 min

Editing your writing

Edit and proofread your own writing systematically: structure, argument, clarity, accuracy — with a checklist of your personal error patterns.

In this lesson you will

  • Edit in stages from big to small
  • Build a personal error checklist
  • Proofread effectively

Learn

Edit big → small. 1) Task & structure: does it answer the question? Is the order logical? 2) Paragraphs & argument: clear topic sentences? evidence? 3) Sentences: clarity, variety, concision. 4) Words & accuracy: grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation.

Personal error checklist: list your five most frequent mistakes (e.g. articles, subject–verb agreement, run-on sentences, prepositions, tense consistency) and search for them specifically.

Proofreading tricks: read aloud, read backwards sentence by sentence, change the font or print it, wait before rereading, and check one type of error per pass.

Common C1 slips: informations, advices, researches (uncountable); discuss about; comma splices; missing articles; inconsistent tense; over-long sentences.

Examples

  • Pass 1: The essay discusses causes but the question asked for solutions — restructure.
  • Pass 4: “The informations are…” → “The information is…”
  • Checklist: articles / agreement / commas / prepositions / tense

Vocabulary

proofread

check text for small errors

comma splice

two sentences joined only by a comma

consistency

staying the same throughout

pass

one reading of a text for one purpose

revise

change to improve

Practice

1 / 8

What should you check first when editing?

Speaking

Explain your editing process to a classmate as a step-by-step routine, including your personal error checklist.

Recording isn’t available in this browser. You can still practise: say your answer aloud, then type what you said.

Writing

Take a previous essay or write a new 200-word paragraph. Edit it in four passes. Submit the final version and list your five personal error patterns.

0 / 180+ words

Lesson quiz

1 / 5

Edit in order…

Review

Key points

  • Edit big → small.
  • Personal error checklist.
  • Proofreading tricks.
  • Watch for common C1 slips.

What you learned

  • ✓ I edit systematically.
  • ✓ I know my error patterns.
  • ✓ I proofread effectively.