Revision Strategies

Editing vs. Revising

Editing

  • Grammar
  • Spelling
  • Sentence structure
  • Punctuation

Revision

  • Adding new thoughts/claims/ideas
  • Clarifying or expanding on existing ideas
  • Using more precise, descriptive language
  • Cutting extraneous material

Revision

  • Considers the whole of the paper
    • strengths and weaknesses
    • areas for expansion or cutting
    • argument as a whole—big picture
  • Ask questions—will the reader understand? What will be confusing or misleading? Where can you add, expand, clarify, or excise material for understanding?
  • Purpose: expansion and clarification of ideas; not correction

Revision = Re-visioning

Questions to Ask in Revision

  • Does the paper respond to the assignment?
    • Does it respond to all questions and prompts?
  • Is the argument clear? Where can you clarify terms or ideas?
  • Do you have an argument? Are you sure it's not observation?
  • Do any ideas need developing? 
  • Do you need more specific textual evidence? Research support?
  • Is evidence specific and precise rather than general?

Questions to Ask in Revision

  • Do the main ideas lead logically and clearly from one to the next?
    • Do you have clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas?
  • Once you have revised and clarified the argument: does your thesis accurately specify your argument?
  • Will the reader be able to follow and understand your argument?
  • Are all elements of your paper necessary and doing the work of supporting your argument? 
  • Did you fully explain main points and connections?

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