This document provides self-editing guidelines for writers. It addresses spelling, tense, capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure, word choice, order of events, setting, and character. Key points include using correct spelling and consistent tense; capitalizing first words of sentences and proper nouns; using punctuation like periods, commas, and apostrophes correctly; ensuring sentences have subjects and verbs and avoid repetitive structure; including a beginning, middle and end; and clearly establishing setting and purpose of characters.

1. Self-Editing
Guidelines

2. Spelling and Tense
• Each word is spelled and used correctly-
homophones, such as “to”, “too”, and
“two”, are not interchangeable.
• Do not go back and forth between past and
present tense, unless that is actually occurring
in the story.

3. Capitalization and
Punctuation
Capitalization is used for the first word of a
sentence and proper nouns.
Sentences are ended with either a period, question
mark, or exclamation point, whichever makes
sense.
Commas are used in sequences of more than two
nouns or verbs; to separate independent clauses
(each having its own subject and verb); to set off an
appositive- “my brother, the cook,” and after an
introductory word such as “next,”.

4. Punctuation (cont.)
• Apostrophes are used to show possession-
“Mary’s kitten”; and in contractions-”don’t”.

5. SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND
WORD CHOICE
• Does each sentence have a subject and verb?
• Did I avoid using the same nouns and verbs in
every sentence?
• Did I use many adjectives- “brown” and
adverbs- “happily”?

6. LOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS
• Does the story have a beginning, middle, and end?
• Did I use transitional words, such as “In the next
year”?

7. SETTING AND CHARACTER
• Is it clear when the setting (place of action) changes?
• Are the settings described so that they can be easily
imagined?
• Are characters described so that it is clear why they are in the
story?