# Structural Edit Review

Evaluate whether a draft's purpose, order, argument, completeness, examples, and emphasis help a defined reader complete the intended task.

## Usage note

Review the draft's underlying plan before correcting sentences. Structural editing asks whether the right material appears in the right order; copyediting a weak structure can make later revision slower.

## How to use this template

1. Restate the audience, purpose, promised outcome, and boundaries from the approved brief.
2. Build a reverse outline showing the job and new contribution of every section.
3. Trace the argument or task sequence, evidence, examples, limitations, and transitions.
4. Prioritize structural changes by their effect on reader comprehension and completion.
5. Review the revised outline before beginning detailed copyediting and proofreading.

## Blank template

### Review context

- **Draft title and version:** [Enter title/version]
- **Writer and editor:** [Enter names]
- **Intended reader:** [Describe situation and prior knowledge]
- **Primary question:** [Write one question]
- **Promised outcome:** [What should the reader understand or complete?]
- **Scope and exclusions:** [State boundaries]
- **Required action or next step:** [Describe]

### Reverse outline

Duplicate for every section.

- **Section heading and location:** [Enter]
- **Section job:** [Answer / Explain / Prove / Demonstrate / Warn / Direct]
- **New information introduced:** [Summarize]
- **Evidence or example used:** [List]
- **Connection to previous section:** [Explain]
- **Reader question remaining afterward:** [Write or None]
- **Decision:** [Keep / Move / Merge / Split / Replace / Remove]

### Structure checks

- [ ] The opening gives context and a direct answer appropriate to the intent.
- [ ] Each section contributes something necessary and distinct.
- [ ] Terms and prerequisites appear before readers need them.
- [ ] Recommendations follow reasons, evidence, and important limitations.
- [ ] Examples clarify the nearby idea rather than introduce a different scope.
- [ ] Headings form a meaningful outline when read on their own.
- [ ] The ending completes the promised outcome and offers a logical next step.

### Revision plan

- **Must-fix change one:** [Action, reader problem, desired result]
- **Must-fix change two:** [Action, reader problem, desired result]
- **Must-fix change three:** [Action, reader problem, desired result]
- **Material to add:** [Evidence, explanation, example, or recovery step]
- **Material to remove or combine:** [List]
- **Issues requiring source or expert review:** [List]
- **Optional experiment:** [Alternative framing or sequence]
- **Revision owner and deadline:** [Name, YYYY-MM-DD]

### Recheck

- **Revised draft version:** [Enter]
- **Reverse outline repeated:** [Yes / No]
- **Outcome now supported:** [Yes / No / Partly and why]
- **Remaining structural risk:** [Describe or None]
- **Ready for copyedit:** [Yes / No]
- **Editor signoff and date:** [Name, YYYY-MM-DD]