Revision is not simply a correction of grammar and mechanical errors.

It is a
serious, in depth expansion of a paper, in both scope and ideas, responding to
the comments received on the draft. Every paper is a process of revision, from
brainstorming to outlining, from writing to revising and editing. Please note that
a revision that is not significantly different from the original will not be
accepted or re-graded neither will papers that contain more than 16% of text
that is not original.
1.

Grammatical and syntactical errors should be fixed by referring to a

handbook such as Keys For Writers. Rules for commas, pronoun use,
singular/plural shifts etc. are explained and exemplified in these handbooks.
There is also the Writing Center (http://writingcenter.sdsu.edu/) at PSFA,
where tutors are available every weekday. Also, your blackboard site offers
several handouts on writing under Course Documents.

2.

Fact sheets offer FACTS, not opinions, hypotheses, or assumptions. Claims

must be supported by evidence, and the language must be neutral.

3.

Endnotes must be in Arabic numbers. If a quote is followed by an endnote, it

follows the endquote: .nature.4

David W. Galenson, Analyzing Artistic Innovation, Historical Methods

First Name Last Name, Title of article, Title of journal/magazine
41, 3 (2008): 114, accessed August 23., 2013, <URL>
Volume, no. of issue (Year): Page(s), access date, address
11.

Lists need to be in parallel structure:

Incorrect
The text editing program
enables you to do the
following:
* change the background color
of the screen
* to select different fonts
* cutting and pasting text
* creation of complex layouts

Correct
The text editing program
enables you to do the
following:
* change the background color
of the screen
* select different fonts
* cut and paste text
* create complex layouts

The plural forms of abbreviations and dates do NOT take an apostrophe.

Apostrophes indicate possession.
Incorrect
Correct
During the 50s
During the 50s
In the 1950s
In the 1950s
GMOs in crops
GMOs in crops
RFs negative side effects

13.

Avoid pronouns like we, you etc. in a fact sheet.

14.

Make sure that the spacing between subsections and before and after graphs
is consistent.

The word amount is used with uncountable nouns, number with

countable nouns.

15.

Make sure that your graphs support your point. A graph stating that the
effects of genetically modified food on the gender of unborn children are
UNKNOWN cannot be followed by a sentence that asserts that GMOs are
suspected to have contributed to an increasing number of female newborns.

The word reason cannot be followed by why and/or because: The

reason for these increased numbers is that many have switched their cable
provider.

16.

People are referred to as who not that.

17.

Colons can be used only between a COMPLETE sentence and (1) a list, (2)
and explanation/definition/principle, (3) a quote.

Graphs need to be close to the text they illustrate, not in another column.
When they are close to the text they illustrate, their content does not need to
be restated nor must the reader be pointed at them with phrases like The
graph below shows

5.

Sentences like The table below shows the top three reasons for choosing
ABC should be rephrased as The top three reasons for choosing ABC are
X, Y, Z. This sentence then is followed by a graph that further explains
these reasons.

7.

The requirements of Chicago Style are posted on Bb and need to be

followed. For example:

12.

4.

6.

10.

8.

Graph etc need captions underneath an image and should state the source
plus an endnote: Source: Institute of ABC3

9.

Similarly, hyperlinks (which are required) are used by highlighting/linking a

key term in a sentence, not by adding Here is a hyperlink that leads to
further data on ABC http://www.etc

And please, Remember, it is not the readers job to decipher what you are
trying to say. Its your job to make it clear. I have seen many individuals stop
reading a paper, report or job application if they were having a lot of trouble
understanding it. You want your work to stand out - but not in the wrong way
(Joyce E.A. Russell, Career Coach).