Editing and checking

This stage is for reassuring yourself that everything is as it should be and making a few final changes rather than for adding new material.

General checks

It can help to ask a friend to check your assignment before you send it in. You can ask them if the essay was easy to understand. Were there any unclear or ambiguous parts? Could they guess the question by reading the answer without looking at the title?

However, don't ask another student on the module to check your assignment and, unless it has been specifically agreed, it's also not appropriate to send your tutor a draft of your assignment for checking.

Now is a good time to think about what you would like your tutor to comment on. You can download and fill in a feedback form (RTF, 56KB), which asks your tutor to provide comments that focus on your concerns. Send it in with your assignment

Proofreading your assignment

It's important to proofread your assignment before sending it in to be marked. Use this editing and proofreading checklist. If you have a problem remembering how to spell try the following spelling strategies.

• Find some spelling rules that help you to avoid the mistakes you tend to make.
• Draw pictures to imprint a spelling on your mind.
• Use mnemonics (a rhyme or a pun) to remind you of difficult spellings.
• Write words on a large piece of paper with brightly coloured pens
• Use a blank card as a bookmark and write on it the words you have problems spelling on it.
• Buy an address book and use it to write words you want to remember.
• Try using a spelling workbook or spelling dictionary.
• Use a spellchecker, hand-held or on a computer.