Date: Sun, 28 Apr 1996 12:36:24 -0400 From: Might Makes For Tight Underwear Subject: TECH/SUB: Editing/Critiquing Guidelines [DRAFT 28 APR 96] RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN...THESE ARE NOT RULES. I would appreciate any suggestions/comments that anyone has on this, thank you. =20 Questions to ask yourself about the piece you have written/are reading: -Does the opening get my attention and bring the reader into the piece? -Does the opening get to the point of the piece? [Non-Fiction] -Are the points relevant to the theme of the piece? -Is it too much or clear and concise as it should be? -Have I established the correct tone and is it consistent? -If my tone is formal, is it throughout? -If my tone is relaxed, is it throughout? -Is there a better opening found later in the work? -Have I chosen the best ending? -Am I satisfied after reading? -Is the wording alive, filled with imagery, color, etc.? -If I have included quotations, are they clear and relevent? -Is the work filled with cliches and other trite phrases? -Is the piece filled with multiple-word phrasing such as "made a conclusion" versus "concluded"? -Have I used my thesaurus like a kid in a toy store with a gold card, or is my wording the best? -Does my wording have rhythm ... is there a flow when I read it outloud? -Have I gotten rid of the overly complex and poorly written sentenances? -Have I used overly general wording like "very" too much? -Do I maintain the pace I have set out to? -If the pace does vary, do I do it smoothly enough? -Am I just showing off my intellect or is every word, sentence, paragraph necessary for the reader? Bibliography r/Anthony "Every act of rebellion expresses a nostalgia for innocence and an appeal to the essence of being." Albert Camus (1913-60), French-Algerian philosopher, author. The Rebel, pt. 3 (1951; tr. 1953). The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations is licensed from Columbia University Press. Copyright =A9 1993 by Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.