Sophia English Com 1 Milestones 4 Part 1. Kaplan University.1
Which of the following is an effective strategy for sentence editing?
using a software
... [Show More] program to evaluate the complexity of sentences
making the thesis statement more broad so that fewer sentences have to be edited
checking each sentence for typos, misspellings, and other mechanical errors
reading the sentences aloud to listen for flow and clarity
RATIONALE
Editing at the sentence level involves evaluating sentences for completeness, variation, word
choice, and proper syntax. Therefore, reading the sentences aloud to listen for flow and clarity,
inspecting each sentence in isolation throughout the essay, and asking someone else to read and
review your essay on the sentence level are all good strategies when editing sentences.
While it is appropriate to use a software program to check your spelling and grammar, it will not
be useful in evaluating the complexity of your sentences. Making the thesis statement more
broad to avoid editing other sentences within the essay is also not an effective strategy. Finally,
while checking for typos and mechanical errors is important to do, that is a part of proofreading,
not a part of editing sentences.
CONCEPT
Strategies for Editing Sentences
2
Choose the version of the opening sentence of a business letter that has been edited for
repetition and overly-formal word choices.
Dear Sir: Allow me to introduce myself; I am the president of a company called From Soup to
Nuts.
My dear sirs: Allow me to introduce myself and to make your acquaintance; I am the president
and chief executive officer of a company entitled From Soup to Nuts.
To Whom it May Concern: Allow me to introduce myself; I am the president and chief executive
officer of a company artfully entitled From Soup to Nuts.
Dear Sirs: I am the chief executive officer of a company I 've decided to call From Soup to Nuts.
RATIONALE
Three of the four opening sentences include redundancy and overly-formal language:
My dear sirs: Allow me to introduce myself and to make your acquaintance; I am the president
and chief executive officer of a company entitled From Soup to Nuts ("make your acquaintance"
and "entitled" are overly-formal and "president and chief executive officer" is redundant);
To Whom it May Concern: Allow me to introduce myself; I am the president and chief executive
officer of a company artfully entitled From Soup to Nuts ("To Whom it May Concern" and
"artfully entitled" are overly formal and "president and chief executive officer" is redundant);
Dear Sirs: I am the chief executive officer of a company I've decided to call From Soup to Nuts
("I've decided to call" is redundant). [Show Less]