Major Tips To Edit Coursework And Boost Grades

If you want to produce high-quality and top-notch coursework, then you cannot skip the crucial step of editing.

Think of your coursework as the structure of a building and the editing as its paint and embellishment. This is because without editing, your coursework will not reflect high quality, even if the content is strong.

After investing a lot of time in completing the coursework, many students are unable to make time for the editing phase. Therefore, they submit it without editing. As a result, their grades aren't upto their expectations. 

However, the good news is that editing doesn't have to be slow and stressful. Some strategies must be followed when editing your coursework. If you don't want to receive a poor grade, then keep reading this blog to understand how to edit your coursework smartly and quickly.

Why is editing coursework more important than you think?

Let's clear one thing: the editing phase is not optional. It’s not a matter of if I will have time, then I will edit my coursework. This is because no matter how strong your content and ideas are, you will still lose marks if the assessor finds errors in your coursework.

You can easily lose marks due to unclear arguments, grammatical errors, lack of structure, inconsistent citations, or informal language in your coursework.

You will not get good grades just for your ideas, but for how effectively you articulate them. Moreover, smart editing will help you to improve clarity, flow, arguments, and ultimately boost grades.

Step-by-Step Guide to Edit Coursework Fast and Smart:

1. Don't edit immediately after writing:

This is one of the major mistakes that students commit.  You must complete your coursework at least 2 days before submission so you have ample time to edit.

Once you have written your first draft, take a break. This is because immediate editing after writing is not useful. Your brain fills in the missing words, your mind overlooks the major mistakes, and you find no error in your weak sentences.

What should you do? 

You should take a break for some hours or overnight to get back to your coursework. 

When you return to your coursework, you will have a fresh pair of eyes, and you will be able to edit efficiently.

Don't ever make the mistake of writing and editing the course at the same time.

2. Have plenty of time for the editing process:

Students think that editing will not take up much time. They spend most of their time writing the coursework; this approach is wrong. Give your 40% of the time to the writing phase and 60% of the time to the editing phase.

Think to yourself, how can you edit the style, content, and structure of the coursework in just a few hours? This is not possible, or even if you are doing it, then it means it is not effective at all.

3. Editing is a step-by-step process:

Don't make the mistake of editing the coursework in just one go. Smart editing is done in rounds.

• Big picture check(structure, logic, argument):

This round should take up most of your editing time. In this step, you must observe the organisation and structure of the coursework. Also, focus on the logic of the arguments,

This step is crucial because examiners may ignore spelling errors, but can never ignore the organisation of the content.

Ask questions?

1. Is my introduction strong? Does it have clarity?

2. Are my arguments logical from start to finish

3. Is every paragraph relevant to the main idea?

4. Can readers understand what I have written?

5. Does it have logical flow and coherence?

6. Is there a logical progression of ideas?

Also, put yourself in the shoes of readers.  At this stage, ignore grammar and only focus on the meaning.

Protip: pretend that you are someone who has never seen your coursework before so that you have fresh and objective eyes.

How to edit in this round?

1. Use the drag and drop technique: rearrange paragraphs to ensure a logical flow of the argument.

2. Adding sentences where needed.

3. Thesis check: make sure that the introduction's main argument is supported in the body.

• Read for clarity, style, and flow:(paragraph level)

In this step, you have to read your coursework paragraph by paragraph. Now zoom in and observe:

1. Does every paragraph focus on one main idea?

2. Does it have a topic sentence?

3. Are there any examples and evidence?

4. Do paragraphs have a logical flow?

5. Are there related ideas?

6. Is my style suitable for the audience?

7. What is the average length of my sentences?

How to edit in this round?

1. Change the order of the sentences in the paragraph.

2. Breaking longer sentences.

3. Eliminating irrelevant sections.

4. Check the paragraph length and break it if it's too long.

5. Write with strong transitions.

• Sentence-level editing:

In each paragraph, look for awkward sentences. Remove repetition and improve clarity.

Moreover, remove words that weaken the arguments.

• Read for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting:

This is the last round of editing.  Make sure that your coursework follows the required formatting and citation style. Moreover, you can also use a spelling or grammar check, such as Grammarly.

4. Use the Read-aloud Trick:

It is one of the smartest editing hacks. When reading aloud, your brain can identify sentences that sound wrong, missing words, and long sentences that are disrupting the flow.

Moreover, you can also use text-to-speech tools, Google Docs voice reading, and the MS word read aloud feature.

5. Eliminate Sentences or Words that are Irrelevant(fluff):

If there is a sentence or paragraph that is not aligned with your argument, then eliminate it. Moreover, eliminate sentences that don't add meaning or just repeat a point.  This is because clear and concise coursework always scores high.

Remove unnecessary and weasel words.

6. Work on Clarity and not on Vocabulary:

In your coursework, examiners will look for clear language, direct explanations, and accurate terminology; therefore, avoid adding fancy language.

You must use simple academic language instead of heavy language.

7. Check Academic Tone:

Don't write informal or slang words in your coursework.  Also, avoid emotional and casual phrases. This is because academic writing prefers neutrality and objectivity.  

8. Edit one Grammar Issue at a Time:

Don't make the mistake of editing all grammatical errors at a time. You must focus on patterns. 

Moreover, in one read, focus on tense, then focus on sentence length, and then on punctuation.

You must know the typical errors students make, so look for them in your coursework.

9. You Can Use Reliable Tools:

Some tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, MS Word Editor, and Google docs suggestion can save your time. However, don't completely rely on them. This is because tools cannot replace the mastery of human editing.

You can connect with assignment help Sydney for editing assistance.

10. Check Referencing Separately:

Inaccurate and inconsistent references will lead to poor grades, no matter how strong your ideas are.

Ask yourself before submitting the coursework:

1. Is a consistent referencing style used throughout the coursework?

2. Are in-text citations consistent?

3. Are all sources listed in the bibliography?

11. Edit for the Marking Criteria:

Before you finally submit your coursework, reread the marking criteria. Ask yourself whether the content aligns with the assignment topic, whether your coursework has critical analysis, whether the evidence is used effectively, and whether the conclusion relate to the assignment topic.

Dos and don'ts of Coursework Editing:

Final Thoughts:

Editing doesn't have to be stressful. You just have to follow some smart and fast editing tricks, and as a result, your grades will boost.

Moreover, don't miss the editing phase because errors in your coursework will distract the examiner and leave a lasting impression on the examiner's mind. 

Therefore edit your coursework in rounds, focus on clarity, use tools and always align your coursework with the marking criteria.  Finally, be ready to enjoy good grades.