- Definition
Editing is when you improve your writing by making changes to the words, sentences, and how your ideas are organized so it's clear and correct. It's like tidying up your thoughts on paper.
Editing might involve moving a paragraph from the end to the beginning to make the introduction stronger.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Editing is like a movie director rearranging whole scenes to make the story clearer, not just fixing one blurry shot.
Ask your child: If you read this paragraph aloud, where could it be clearer or stronger?
Common mix-up: Many people think editing is just fixing spelling and grammar. True editing is about improving the big ideas and structure, while proofreading is the final polish for small errors.
Examples
- Rewriting a clunky sentence to make it flow better.
- Adding a new sentence with a specific detail to help the reader picture the scene more clearly.
editing is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
