Editing Classification Essays

After you revise your classification essay, making major improvements, you need to edit it to correct any remaining errors. You'll look for problems with sentences, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, and spelling. The following activities will help you edit your writing.

Editing for the Right Word

Some words and phrases are often misused or confused in writing. Below are four pairs of words that are commonly misused.

all ready/already All ready means “completely prepared.” Already means “previously.”
Is your science report all ready?

We already studied birds and learned that two types of eagles live in North America.
beside/besides Beside means “by the side of.” Besides means “in addition to.”
He placed the basketball beside his hockey stick.

Besides basketball and soccer, he plays hockey.
accept/except Accept is always a verb and means to “receive.” Except can be a preposition that means “excluding.”
Many athletes happily accept any medal—gold, silver, or bronze.

He was aware of every figure-skating jump except the lutz. (Except is a preposition)
real/really Real is an adjective that means “actual.” Really is an adverb that means “truly.” It is used to modify an adjective or another adverb.
The first real fanzines were for science-fiction enthusiasts.

Zines that deal with being a teenager are really popular. (Really modifies the adjective “popular.”)

I read the zine really quickly. (Really modifies the adverb “quickly.”)

Edit for the right word.

If the underlined word in each sentence is incorrect, replace it with the correct word. If the underlined word is correct, write “C” above it. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.

Use words correctly.

Write an original sentence for each of the following words or phrases. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.

all ready
(Answers will vary.) I’m all ready to play basketball.
already
(Answers will vary.) I already finished my homework.
beside
(Answers will vary.) LaVonne placed the glass beside the plate.
besides
(Answers will vary.) Besides the plate and glass, she needed silverware.
accept
(Answers will vary.) Will you accept my apology?
except
(Answers will vary.) Everyone else has except you.
real
(Answers will vary.) That bottle contains real maple syrup.
really
(Answers will vary.) Maple syrup has a really rich taste.

Check your usage.

Read your classification essay, making sure you have correctly used these words and any other easily confused words.

Editing in Action

When you edit, you check to make sure your essay is correct.

Paragraph Before Edits
Usage errors are fixed and punctuation is corrected.
Paragraph After Edits

Edit with a checklist.

Read each line in the checklist below. When you can answer each question with a yes, check it off. (Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.)

Punctuation

Did I close each sentence with an end punctuation mark?
Did I use commas correctly?

Capitalization

Did I start all sentences with capital letters?
Did I capitalize the names of people and places?

Grammar

Did I use the correct form of verbs (give, gave, given)?
Do the subjects and verbs agree in number? (Birds sing; David whistles.)

Usage

Did I correctly use commonly confused words?

Spelling

Did I check for spelling errors?
Did I use a dictionary or the spell checker on my computer?

Publishing Classification Essays

When you publish your classification essay, you make it public, sharing it with others. First, you need to make a clean final copy of your work. Then you should find ways to share what you have written with classmates, your teacher, your family, and your friends.

Publishing a Final Copy

Create a final copy of your writing.

Include your revising and editing changes and read over your work a final time. (If you are working on a computer, spell-check your work.)

Reflecting on Your Writing

Reflect on your writing.

Complete the following form to think about what you learned. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.