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Editing Resources

This guide contains editing resources for students, including directions for accessing Grammarly.

Key Resource: Grammarly

For self-editing and proofreading, one option for students is to use Grammarly, the automated grammar checker. Grammarly develops essential writing skills by helping students revise their papers and providing automated instructional feedback. Northcentral University provides students with a premium Grammarly subscription. To sign up for this service, please follow the directions below.

Note:All NCU Grammarly users need to use their NCU email so that we can ensure that users are active NCU students, faculty, and staff.

Follow this link to Sign Up for Grammarly Services: https://www.grammarly.com/edu/signup

1) Click "sign up" and enter name, your NCU email (@email.ncu.edu; o365.ncu.edu), and password.

2) Users are taken to "Thank you for signing up. Please verify your email" page.

3) Add info@send.grammarly.com and donotreply@grammarly.com to your email contact list. 

 4) Check your NCU email, locate the email from Grammarly and verify your account. To begin using your Grammarly account, sign in at https://www.grammarly.com/signin.

  • Please check your NCU email "Junk" and "Clutter" files if you cannot locate the email in the "Inbox."

 If you have any issues, email the Academic Success Center at asc@ncu.edu. In the email, provide your first name, last name, and NCU email. You will be sent a Grammarly invitation to register. 

Use the tips and FAQs below to assist with additional Grammarly, editing, and proofreading questions.

Recent Grammarly Updates

Grammarly made some exciting changes to their editor recently. The editor checks for more than grammar and spelling. It now provides more extensive feedback and breaks down your feedback into four categories. Those categories are color-coded in your document and on the alert menu. To learn more about the recent changes, please click here. For a tutorial on the new Grammarly Editor, click here.

If you’d like to continue using the classic editor, please follow the steps below.

   1. Sign in to Grammarly.

   2. Open or upload a document on the Grammarly dashboard.

Grammarly Dashboard

 

 3. Click on the question mark in the lower-left corner of the document.

Question Mark

 

  4. Select “Back to classic Editor.”

Classic Editor

 

Helpful Tips to Edit and Proofread Papers

When editing your assignments, ask yourself the following:

  • Have I included everything required for the assignment?Edit
    • Did I stay within the required parameters?
      • Did I meet the length requirements?
      • Did I meet the source requirements?
  • Did I use APA Style correctly?
    • Did I use proper APA level 1 headings and level 2-3 sub-headings?
    • Did I use Times New Roman 12 point font?
    • Did I double space?
    • Did I cite sources correctly in-text, parenthetically and on my reference page?
      • Use Academic Writer to assist with all things APA.
  • Does my assignment have an introduction that acquaints the audience with the main topics presented?
  • Does my introduction have a thesis statement that presents the topics that will be covered in the assignment?
  • Does my assignment flow in a way that my thoughts are presented clearly throughout?
  • Do I focus on one idea per paragraph?
  • Do I show how one idea relates to the next with transitions?
  • Do I support my assertions with scholarly evidence?
    • Is that evidence paraphrased (put in my own words but cited)?
      • Reminder: Use direct quotes sparingly.
    • Do I synthesize scholarly sources by showing several sources and viewpoints?
  • Do I clearly show the main points and the overall takeaway of the assignment in the conclusion?
  • Do I use a scholarly tone?
    • Do not use first person.
    • Do not use contractions.
  • Do I use clear, concise language?
    • Are there words that I use too often?
      • If so, find synonyms to replace.
    • Are there words I misuse?
    • Are there words that are unneeded that I could edit out?

When proofreading your assignments, ask yourself the following:

  • Have I read my paper aloud to catch spelling, grammar, and wording issues?Proofread
    • Do not just rely on a proofreading tool such as Grammarly and/or Microsoft Word.
    • Ensure you read your work carefully in conjunction with using these tools?
  • Are all spelling issues corrected?
  • Are words capitalized properly?
  • Do I use constructs such as acronyms properly?
    • If you are unsure of the rules, look them up, and Ask a Coach if you still have questions.
  • Are grammar issues corrected?
    • A tool such as Grammarly can assist with identifying grammar issues and helping you understand the rules behind different grammar constructs.
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