REVISION STRATEGIES AND HOW TO USE

THEM

The Big Picture: is the original purpose of the writing fulfilled? does the writing cover the required material? has the writing addressed the specific audience? does the overall structure seem sensible in terms of

your intentions? is your sense of authority over the topic clear?

STRATEGIES

Focus on Development: Does the main idea of the paper have enough

supporting material? Does each paragraph develop logically from the

previous one? Does the supporting material relate to the main idea? Is the main idea made clear in a thesis statement?

STRATEGIES

Focus on Structure: is there a controlling idea that can be traced through

the writing? does your lead into the paper create interest and

focus? do individual paragraphs link to the controlling idea? do individual paragraphs have clear topic sentences? does the ending provide a sense of wrapping up

ideas?

STRATEGIES

Focus on Sentence Structure: are sentences clear?

Too many pronouns? Giving things and people their own names .

does the word order in sentences seem logical? are verbs usually in the active voice?

Checking and changing weak helping and linking verbs; instead use specific, interesting action verbs (this is where you check for “to be” verbs!).

does word choice seem sensible for the purpose and audience? Using specific, concrete details that appeal to the reader’s

senses.

is there varying sentence structure and length? Cut clutter.

STRATEGIES

“REWRITING IS THE ESSENCE OF WRITING

WELL: IT’S WHERE THE GAME IS WON OR

LOST”

-WILLIAM ZINSSERLIFELONG JOURNALIST AND WRITER

Is the original purpose of the paper fulfilled?

Does the writing cover the required material or answer the questions asked?

Has the writer adequately addressed the targeted audience?

Does the essay, as a whole, meet the standards of the author?

STEP ONE: THE BIG PICTURE

Revision Examples:

STEP ONE: EXAMPLES

defeats

imagined

ardently

reasons unbeknownst to the reader

cannot

By making the indicated corrections, the author is altering the essay to fit the target audience, which, in this case, is an English teacher. The author is also meeting his/her own standards as a writer.

Does the main idea of the paper have enough supporting material?

Does each paragraph develop logically from the previous one?

Does the supporting material relate to the main idea?

Is the main idea made clear in a thesis statement?

STEP TWO: FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT

Revision Examples:

STEP TWO: EXAMPLES

By cutting the text in the red boxes, the thesis is much more clear and focused.

The paragraph following the thesis:

Bierce uses this quote to explain the romantic ideals of war…

and

As the first paragraph after the thesis statement, this paragraph should concern itself with the first topic listed in the thesis. It does not. There is no logical organization/development. One could change the thesis or reorganize the paragraph order.

This supporting detail has no analysis. This is an analytic essay, thus it does not support the main idea.

Is the main idea prevalent throughout the paper?

Do individual paragraphs support the main idea with specific details?

Do individual paragraphs have clear topic sentences?

Are sentences clear and concise? Can sentences be combined or

restructured? Are lengths varied? Are transitions used effectively? Are words precise?

STEP THREE: FOCUS ON STRUCTURE

Revision Examples:

STEP THREE: EXAMPLES

The dream sequence suggests that this devoted citizen should ideally live happily ever after. contribute to the

war andIn conclusion,

successfully

collapses

Yet,

of a happy ending by following Farquhar’s dream sequence with Farquhar’s immediate death

safely

By making all of these revisions, the author is using more precise verbs and adjectives, he is restructuring sentences to make more sense, and he is creating a clear topic sentence for the paragraph.

Read and mark-up a paper copy of your essay

Read the paper out loud

Have a friend or relative read the paper

Wait a day or so between drafts to have a fresh perspective

TIPS FOR THE REVISION PROCESS

Feel free to voice any questions or concerns!

THANK YOU