Universidad técnica particular de loja la universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

APPENDIX 7A: SAMPLE CLASS ERROR ANALYSIS PROCEDURES
Error Analysis Procedures
1. With a highlighter, look carefully through the student essay. 
Highlight and consecutively number every error you find in the 
following categories:
 Verbs (tense, form, verb agreement with subject)
 Noun endings (plural and possessive)
 Articles and other determiners
 Word form
 Word choice
 Sentence structure
 Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation (not covered by other 
categories)
 Other (any errors that do not fit above categories)
2. Use the analysis form to categorize and offer a correction for each 
error.
3. Use the summary form to total up the types of errors and 
numbers of each error. Then based upon your reading of the 
paper and your analysis, identify the three most significant 

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problems and write them in on the bottom of the form. Note: The 
“most serious problem” is not always the most frequent problem.
Use the analysis form to total up the types of errors and numbers 
of each error. 
Then based upon your reading of the paper and your analysis, 
identify the three most significant problems and write them in on the 
bottom of the form. Note: The “most serious problem” is not always the 
most frequent problem.
Error analysis Sheet
Error #
Type
Possible correction
This procedure might be useful when carrying out an error analysis. 
After reviewing these concepts there is a question which appears 
almost as if it weren’t there. How come we call it “error analysis”? Why 
don’t we call it “mistake analysis”?
The reason may be explained as follows: An ‘error' is a deviation 
from accuracy or correctness. A ‘mistake' is an error caused by a fault: 
the fault being misjudgment, carelessness, or forgetfulness. Now, say 
that I run a stop sign because I was in a hurry, and wasn't
concentrating, and the police stop me, that is a mistake. If, however, I 
try to park in an area with conflicting signs, and I get a ticket because I 

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was incorrect on my interpretation of what the signs meant, that would 
be an error. The first time it would be an error. The second time it would 
be a mistake since I should have known better. 
As a conclusion we can simply say that a mistake e.g. a slip of the 
tongue can be self-corrected and an error “cannot”. An error 
is systematic e.g. likely to occur repeatedly and not recognized (known) 
by the learner.