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Learn Index · Writing Grade 1–2

Revising and editing basic writing

Revising improves ideas and words; editing fixes spelling, capital letters, punctuation and grammar.

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Writing happens in steps

Even famous authors do not write a perfect story on the first try. They write a draft, then they make it better. Making writing better has two parts:

  • Revising: making the ideas better.
  • Editing: fixing the mistakes.

A simple way to remember: revising is about what you say; editing is about how it looks.

Why it matters

Revising and editing turn a good piece of writing into a great one. They help your reader:

  • Understand your ideas.
  • Picture what you are describing.
  • Enjoy reading without getting stuck on mistakes.

They also help you grow as a writer. Each time you revise, you learn something new about writing.

Part 1: Revising with ARMS

Use the ARMS checklist to revise.

A: Add

Add details to help the reader picture things.

We went to the park. → On Sunday, we went to the big park by the river.

Add feelings, sounds, colours and what people said.

R: Remove

Remove sentences that are off topic or repeated.

My dog is fluffy. He loves to play fetch. My sister likes pink. My dog is fluffy.

Remove My sister likes pink (off topic) and the repeated My dog is fluffy.

M: Move

Move sentences that are in the wrong order.

I ate the cake. Then we baked the cake. → We baked the cake. Then I ate it.

S: Substitute

Swap boring or repeated words for better ones.

The movie was good. → The movie was hilarious.
She went to the store. → She raced to the store.

Part 2: Editing with CUPS

Use the CUPS checklist to edit.

C: Capitals

  • Did I start every sentence with a capital letter?
  • Did I capitalize names, places and the word I?

U: Usage

  • Does each sentence make sense?
  • Do my verbs match? (The dogs run, not The dogs runs.)
  • Did I use the right words? (went, not goed)

P: Punctuation

  • Does every sentence end with a period, question mark or exclamation mark?
  • Did I use commas in lists?
  • Did I use apostrophes in contractions?

S: Spelling

  • Did I check words I was not sure about?
  • Did I spell sight words correctly?

How to revise and edit, step by step

  1. Take a break. Put your writing away for a little while. You will see it with fresh eyes.
  2. Read it out loud. Your ears catch things your eyes miss.
  3. Revise with ARMS. Use a coloured pencil to add, cross out and draw arrows.
  4. Edit with CUPS. Go through one letter at a time. Use a different colour.
  5. Get feedback. Ask a friend or grown-up to read it.
  6. Write a final copy. Copy it neatly with all your changes.

Getting feedback

Feedback means comments from a reader. Good feedback is kind and helpful.

When you give feedback, try:
– I like how you …
– I wonder if you could add …
– Could you tell more about …?

When you get feedback, listen, say thank you, and decide what changes will make your writing better.

Let’s try an example

Draft:
i went to the zoo. i saw a lion. it was cool. then i saw a monky. it was cool to. we went home.

After revising (ARMS): add details and swap the repeated word cool.
Last Saturday, I went to the zoo with my grandpa. I saw a huge lion with a shaggy mane. He roared so loudly that I jumped! Then I saw a monkey swinging from branch to branch. It made me laugh. We went home tired and happy.

After editing (CUPS): capitals fixed, monky spelled monkey, periods checked.

Common mistakes

  • Only editing, never revising. Fixing spelling is important, but adding details is what makes writing great.
  • Rushing. Go slowly, one checklist item at a time.
  • Not reading aloud. Many mistakes only show up when you hear them.
  • Erasing everything. Cross out with one line so you can see your thinking.

Try it yourself

  1. Revise using Add: The cat slept.
  2. Revise using Substitute: The pizza was good.
  3. Edit with CUPS: my freind and me goed to the libary on monday
  4. Which belongs in revising and which in editing? Adding a detail. Fixing a capital letter.

Answers: 1. Example: The fat orange cat slept in a patch of sunshine. 2. Example: The pizza was cheesy and delicious. 3. My friend and I went to the library on Monday. 4. Adding a detail is revising; fixing a capital is editing.

Tip for families

Celebrate the draft first. Then pick just one thing to revise and one thing to edit, rather than correcting everything at once. Keep the checklists ARMS and CUPS on the fridge so your child can use them independently.

Quick recap

  • A draft is a first try; a final copy is the finished version.
  • Revising improves ideas: Add, Remove, Move, Substitute (ARMS).
  • Editing fixes mistakes: Capitals, Usage, Punctuation, Spelling (CUPS).
  • Read your writing out loud.
  • Kind, helpful feedback makes writing better.