Online Tutor Sue-Ann's comments

I have thought a lot about the other form of editing that you sent me. I guess after being a teacher for so long and working with special education students, I have gotten comfortable with, and in the habit of, using a "personal interaction". Using the editing format I've been using, I can add comments and suggestions as if I'm "talking" with them but I'm not sure it would work with the other format. I also have often tried to give a reason why the correction has to be made. The current format allows me to do both.

The other way does seem simpler and quicker for the tutor to edit. It may be more clear to the student what needs to be corrected but I'm not sure the student would understand the reason/logic behind the rules of grammar. The student would be able to edit the work correctly the first time because they have the correction shown.

I suppose there are pros and cons to both ways of editing. Do you have a preference? Are some of the other tutors using this other form of editing? I'll be interested in how you feel about this.

Alternative Correction Method

Take a look at the following guide for correction of student writing. I'd be interested in hearing tutors' opinions about it. Please feel free to comment.

Guide for Correcting Writing Errors

To the student: Each number represents an area of usage. Your teacher will use these numbers when marking your writing to indicate that you have made an error. Refer to this list to find out what kind of error you have made and then make the necessary correction.

1. SINGULAR-PLURAL

_1__ __1__

He have been here for six month.

He has been here for six months.

2. WORD FORM

__2___

I saw a beauty picture.

I saw a beautiful picture.

3. WORD CHOICE

_3_

She got on the taxi.

She got into the taxi.

4. VERB TENSE

__4_

He is here since June.

He has been here since June.

5+ (5+) ADD A WORD

__5+_

I want ^ go to the zoo.

I want to go to the zoo.

5- (5-) OMIT A WORD

_5-_

She entered to the university.

She entered the university.

6.WORD ORDER

___6____

I saw five times that movie.

I saw that movie five times.

7. INCOMPLETE SENTENCE

___7____

I went to bed. Because I was tired.

I went to bed because I was tired.

8. SPELLING

___8___

An accident occured.

An accident occurred.

9. PUNCTUATION

_9__

What did he say.

What did he say?

10. CAPITALIZATION

__10____

I am studying english.

I am studying English.

11. ARTICLE

_11_

I had a accident.

I had an accident.

12. MEANING NOT CLEAR

____12____

He borrowed some smoke.

(? ? ?)

13. RUN-ON SENTENCE

____13____

My roommate was sleeping, we didn’t want to wake her up.

My roommate was sleeping. We didn’t want to wake her up.

NOTE: The numbers can be inserted in the appropriate place in the text by using hyperscript in Google Docs.

From Understanding and Using English Grammar (2nd ed.) by Betty Azar

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