English Teaching

ELT365 · Day 206 — Editing vs proofreading: a distinction that matters

📚60-Day ELT Masterclass — This post is part of an ongoing series. View full index →

Idea — Editing is improving content and structure — does the paragraph make sense, is the argument clear? Proofreading is checking form — spelling, punctuation, grammar. Teach them as separate stages.

Example — First pass (edit): ‘Is the main idea clear? Is there an example?’ Second pass (proofread): ‘Check every verb ending. Check articles. Check spelling.’

Try — After your next in-class writing task, ask learners to edit first then proofread. Does the sequence change how they read their own work?

Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.