Revising

Revising implies a willingness to make significant changes to a draft. The word "revision" means or "re-visioning" or reseeing the paper. The following questions may help you as you prepare to revise a draft:

• Does the writing accomplish its goal or purpose?
  
• Is the main point or thesis clear?
  
• Are the vocabulary, tone, and style appropriate for the intended audience?
  
• Are the paragraphs arranged so that the argument is convincing?
  
• Are there enough specific examples within paragraphs to convince a reader that the statements made in the topic sentences are valid?
  
• Does the writing stick to the topic? Are all examples clearly related to the topic?
  
• Does the writing seem choppy? Are transitions made between sentences and paragraphs?

   You may rewrite or reorganize paragraphs, omit and replace paragraphs, or even change the overall focus or main point of the writing itself.

    When you are revising your papers, being with overall questions of focus, organization, and content first. Looking at sentence-level matters such as grammar and mechanics usually comes later in the writing process, and revision on the larger aspects of your paper will change sentences anyway. Online Writing Resources has links to information about the academic writing you will do in college. When you have revised the paper, then you will be ready to work on editing and proofreading.

    Bringing your draft to the Writing Center will give you another perspective on the paper. Tutors can give you suggestions for revising your draft. Bring your concerns about the paper when you come.

• An excellent handout from Purdue gives questions to ask yourself about Higher Order Concerns and Later Order Concerns

by Jerry Alexander, Instructor, Presbyterian College English Department, and Jill Frey, Writing Center Coordinator