短文改错是语篇层次上的改错，要求把词汇、结构和意义看成是有机的整体，要求跨越传统英语学习中词汇和句子的思维范畴，把词法、句法与篇章的句子联系起来，建立句子与句子之间的思维范畴，建立整体语感，进行语篇分析，判断错误所在，并加以改正。
众所周知，孤立的词与用在句子中的词是不同的；孤立的句子与组成篇章的句子也不同。所谓语篇分析，一方面是指判断词与词在句子中通过语法结构所起到的作用和意义（包括同义、近义、反义、上下义、相关义）；另一方面是指句与句之间的成分关系、结构词和语法变体；再者是指语篇水平上的逻辑关系，包括省略、替代、重复、比较、平行、照应、篇章连接信号词、写作体裁和风格等。
把握层次关系，进行语篇分析，就能做到前后照应，就容易发现词汇和语法结构、内容上下贯通方面的问题，并根据上下文进行改正。
Although it might have happened anywhere， my encounter with the green banana started on a steep mountain road in the interior of Brazil．My ancient jeep was straining up through spectacular countryside when the radiator began to leak，ten miles from the nearest mechanic．The over-heated engine forced me to stop at the next village，which consisted of a small store and a scattering of houses．People gathered to look．Three fine streams of hot water spouted from holes in the jacket of the radiator．"That's easy to fix，"a man said．He sent a boy running to some green bananas．He patted me on the shoulder，assuring me everything would work out．"Green bananas，"he smiled． Everyone agreed．
We exchanged pleasantries while I mulled over the ramifications of green banana．Asking questions would betray my ignorance，but I remarked on the beauty of the terrain．Huge rock formations，like Sugar Loaf in Rio，rose up all around us．"Do you see that tall one right over there？"asked my benefactor，pointing to a particular tall， slender pinnacle of dark rock．"That rock marks the center of the world．"
I looked to see if he were teasing me，but his face was serious．He in return inspected me carefully to be sure I grasped the significance of his statement． The occasion demanded some show of recognition on my part．"The center of the world？"I repeated，trying to convey interest if not complete acceptance．He nodded．"The absolute center．Everyone around here knows it．"
At that moment the boy returned with my green bananas．The man sliced one in half and pressed the cut end against the radiator jacket．The bananas melted into a glue against the hot metal，plugging the leaks instantly．Everyone laughed at my astonishment． They filled my radiator and gave me extra bananas to take along．An hour later，after one more application of green bananas，my radiator and I reached our destination．The local mechanic smiled．"Who taught you about the green banana？"I named the village．"Did they show you the rock marking the center of the world？"he asked．I assured him they had．"My grandfather came fromthere，"he said．"The exact center． Everyone around here has always known about it．"
本文讲述了一个在巴西的美国人，因旧吉普车水箱漏水而被迫在一个小村庄停下来修理。当地村民用青香蕉堵漏水箱的办法，给这个美国人留下了深刻的印象。
本文用词幽默诙谐，如My ancient jeep．．．， Asking questions would betray my ignorance．．．， An hour later，after one more application of green bananas，my radiator and I reached our destination．等，产生了很好的语言效果。
在第一段中，He sent a boy running to some green bananas．（他派一个男孩跑到青香蕉那儿去了。）从上下文来看，与At that moment the boy returned with my green bananas．（那时那个男孩带着给我的青香蕉回来了。）不符。应改为He sent a boy running for some green bananas．（他派一个男孩跑去取青香蕉了。）。
在第二段中，Asking questions would betray my ignorance，but I remarked on the beauty of theterrain．（问这问那会暴露我没有学问，不过我就谈论起此处地势的秀美。）可以看出此句逻辑关系混乱，因此应改为Asking questions would betray my ignorance，so（所以）I remarked on the beauty of the terrain．
在第三段中，He in return inspected me carefully to be sure I grasped the significance of his statement．（他回报地仔细审视着我，确信我领会了他那番话的意义。）in return为"回报；酬劳"，应改为He in turn（反过来）inspected me carefully to be sure I grasped the significance of his statement．
在第四段中，They filled my radiator and gave me extra bananas to take along．（他们把我的水箱灌满了水，并额外给了我几个香蕉带在路上。）从第一段得知，水箱的水漏出，因此修理完后需要重新注水，应改为They refilled（重新往……注水）my radiator and gave me extra ba- nanas to take along．