How to Quickly Edit an Academic Paper

Last-Minute Tips & Tricks to Proofread a College Essay or Paper

Aug 30, 2009

Editing makes a major difference in the presentation of an academic paper. Omit contractions, passive voice, and first-person point-of-view. Check for tense consistency.

While there are many rules that vary from format issues to comma placement rules depending on the style assigned and the professor’s requirements, some basic proofing rules can bring a student’s paper up a letter grade without much effort.

Replace Contractions With Spelled-Out Words in Academic Papers

During a quick edit, replace all contractions with their spelled-out forms. Change “won’t” to “will not” and “can’t” to “cannot,” etc.

Replace First Person Point-of-View With the Third Person Point-of-View

Avoid using the first person point-of-view (I, we, us, etc.) unless directed it is okay by a professor or the assignment is a personal experience or memoir-style paper.

Replace all forms of first person point-of-view with the third person point of view (he, she, they, etc.).

It is occasionally appropriate to include the second person point-of-view (you or implied you) in academic writing, especially when asking the readers specific questions to demonstrate a point.

Check Tense Consistency Throughout Paper

Students should be sure to use a consistent verb tense throughout their academic paper. Most academic papers should be in the present tense, although different papers call for different tenses. History papers more often are written in the past tense whereas critical literary papers are more often written in the present tense.

Omit the Passive Voice as Much as Possible

Nothing livens up a paper more than using action verbs throughout. Students easily fall into passive writing, especially in academic papers because the passive voice can sometimes sound more serious or technical, but beware of this because it often equates to boring. Another reason students often fall into the passive voice is because they are unsure of the material or the source of the action.

“It is easy to mistake the alligator for the crocodile.” By first identifying the subject, which is currently the vague, implied anybody, students can rephrase the sentence to be active. The active sentence could instead read: “Anybody can mistake the alligator for the crocodile.” But a better way to make the sentence active is by narrowing the subject more. People who are unfamiliar with reptiles or amateurs makes for a clearer subject. “Amateurs often mistake the alligator for the crocodile.”

Don't Stress over Last-Minute Edits

Students should not stress too much over the passive and active voice. About 20 to 30 percent of the paper can be in the passive voice, but 70 to 80 percent should be active. By touching on these simple, yet major, academic paper guidelines, students can raise their overall score on a paper even when time is at a premium.