This editing projects asks you to demonstrate your understanding of audience, purpose, content, organization, style, and mechanics by analyzing, revising, and editing a sample document draft within a business or institutional context.  You will work from a case study that provides information about the context and your position within that context.
 

WORK DUE:

1. A GRACE analysis memo (1-2 pages), in which you analyze the writing situation and explain your choices to me
2. A memo to the author of the document draft (1-2 pages), in which you evaluate the effectiveness of the draft and explain your suggestions for revision to the author of the document draft
3. A copy of the document draft itself, on which you have made any necessary markings, corrections, annotations, etc. that will be useful to the author of the document draft

SUGGESTIONS FOR APPROACHING THE ASSIGNMENT:

Analyze the document and its intended audience.  After reading the assigned text for revision, think about ways to  make it more effective in achieving its purpose and in communicating with its audience

• What is the main point or purpose of  the document?  Identify clearly the principal idea.
• Who is the main audience?   How can you present ideas from the reader's point of view?
• What effect do you want the text to have? How will you achieve that effect?

Comment on the document itself in terms of content and style.

Read the document for content issues such as:

• Places where you need more information
• Places where you need different information
• Places where you need less information
• Ideas for improving the organization
• Ideas for improving tone or effect
• Questions or concerns that the text might raise for readers

• Avoid run-on sentences and comma splices
• Avoid sentence fragments
• Use commas correctly

• Consider your relationship with the author of the document.  How does that relationship affect how you will communicate your suggestions to the author?
• Use standard memo format.
• Attach a copy of the document itself, with your markings and annotations for the author.

• Analyze the writing situation using the GRACE principles as described in chapters 2 and 3 of the textbook.
• Explain your choices of content, format, organization, and style in the memo you wrote to the author of the document.  Why are those choices the most effective ones in this context?
• Use standard memo format.

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA:

GRACE Analysis Memo: You analyze the writing situation and explain your choices in a well-written, well-formatted cover memo addressed to me.

• CONTENT:   The analysis highlights and explains major assertions, decisions, and assumptions.  Each section conveys its purpose clearly.  Each section provides enough detail  and evidence to be convincing.
• ORGANIZATION:  The organization  is well-suited to purpose and audience.  Categories are logical and, if the writer uses headings, headings are descriptive.
•  FORMAT: The  memo shows familiarity with the conventions of standard memo format.
• STYLE AND MECHANICS:  Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are all correct.  Prose style is clear and concise. Writer uses strong active verbs whenever possible.  Tone and  language are well-suited to audience and purpose.

• CONTENT:  The memo clearly explains you revisions and rationales for the revisions to the author of the document draft.  The memo shows an awareness of your business relationship with the author of the document draft and effectively addresses the concerns of your company  or organization.
• ORGANIZATION:   The organization of the memo is well-suited to purpose and audience.  Categories are logical and, if the writer uses headings, headings are descriptive.
• FORMAT: The memo shows familiarity with the conventions of standard memo format.
• STYLE AND MECHANICS:  Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are all correct.  Prose style is clear and concise. Writer uses strong active verbs whenever possible.  Tone and  language are well-suited to audience and purpose

• CONTENT:   The writer  shows awareness of reader needs and "you attitude."  The overall text and individual paragraphs convey purpose clearly.  Each section provides enough detail  to be interesting and convincing.
•  ORGANIZATION:  The organization  (e.g., direct or indirect)  is well-suited to the purpose and audience.   Paragraph sequence and divisions are logical.
•  FORMAT:  The  writer shows familiarity with the conventions of memo or letter format.

• Word choice and tone
• Correct grammar use
• Correct punctuation
• Careful proofreading