Editing for Higher-Order Concerns

Higher-order concerns are those which deal with macro-level or "big picture" issues. Revising and editing for higher-order concerns involves identifying and correcting substantive problems such as poor format and design, unclear organization of information, and inadequate development of ideas. A complete description of such higher-order concerns is provided below in the form of questions one should answer when revising/editing.

1. Does the document fulfill the assignment in content and form?

• Inform versus Persuade
• Parameters (document length, style, format)
• Specific objectives

2. Does the document have a clearly stated purpose, and content which fulfills this objective?

• Specific, clear, focused statement of purpose
• Appropriate organization of information
• Adequately developed and focused content

3. Does the document contain a clear, consistent pattern of organization (outlined by descriptive headings)?

• Three principles of organization
• Appropriate pattern(s) of organization
• Descriptive primary and secondary headings

4. Does the content of the paragraphs fulfill the "promise" of their respective topic sentences (and headings)?

• Specific, focused topic sentences
• Unity & coherence of ideas
• Adequate paragraph development

5. Does the document include all of the required and/or appropriate components?

• Appropriate front matter (title page, abstract/executive summary, table of contents)
• Appropriate back matter (bibliography, tables)

6. Does the document contain connecting devices which enhance document clarity, unity and coherence?

• Transitions between main ideas and sections
• Signposts to distinguish ideas in a sequence
• Preview in the introduction
• Internal summaries/previews between major sections

7. Is the document visually appealing and functional?


• Appropriate use of space (margins, white space)
• Appropriate paragraph length
• Font type/size
• Dangling headings and/or words
• Appropriate document design
• Appropriate formatting (bold, italics, all-caps, indentations)

8. Is the content of the document adequately developed?


• Thorough explanation of claims ("how" and "why" a statement is true)
• Adequate evidence/support (examples, analogies, expert testimony)
• Address unanswered questions
• Eliminate unnecessary or irrelevant information