Revision Tips

1. Revision Tips Portfolio Work

2. Where to start 1. First, start thinking about the big picture. What is it you’re really trying to say? Try to phrase it in one sentence: What I’m really trying to say is. . . 2. Set the last draft aside and think about what you’re really trying to say. What would be the best way to say it? Make a rough outline. Try not to be influenced by what you already did in your early draft. 3. Now go back to your draft and look for places where you are writing about your main point. Mark those spots. Everything else should be cut out. 4. Decide on what the best order of your good parts. 5. Do some more raw writing to piece those parts together. 6. Look for places where you are holding back, not letting the readers see the real you. You must be honest and forthright above all else. You’ll achieve nothing by being distant.

3. Now what? Now that you have the big picture figured out, what should I do next? Do some writing. Make sure that your personal examples actually illustrate the point you are trying to make. Otherwise, you will have oil and water. Add details to the writing that you’ve already done. Think colors, names, details about the setting, characters. Think about how you can add meaning to your writing by using the objects of the setting. How can the objects be used metaphorically or symbolically? Can you slow down the action by adding in some description? Look at your beginning and ending. Try to start with something catchy. Try to end on an image. Use adumbration. Look at your transitions. Are they too obvious? Too abrupt?

4. Now for the picky details 1. Sentence variety 2. Agreement of subject/ verb, pronoun/ antecedent 3. Look at paragraph openings for variety 4. Look at sentence openings. You don’t want to begin in the same manner every sentence. Cut out all “there are” “there is”or “it is”openings. 5. Look for use of the passive verbs 6. Check vocabulary for precise word choice. Make sure it fits the tone and purpose. Check to make sure you are not using too many multisyllabic or monosyllabic words in a row. Don’t be vague. 7. Tone: make sure it is consistent 8. Check for cliches. Get rid of them. 9. Read your paper aloud for rhythm. 10. Add in figures of speech to add richness to the language. 11.Check for redundancy, either or words or ideas.

5. Work in a cyclical pattern 1. You should go through the essay many times over the next two weeks. 2. Looking at it once is not going to be enough. 3. It is not enough to just “clean up” your language. 4. You are supposed to be making a re-vision of your essay. See it better! 5. Take into consideration the comments of your writing group, writing partner and writing coach, but ultimately the final product is up to you. Your creativity and effort will earn you the grade. 6. Get as many people as you can to look over your work. Talk about your ideas with people. 7. Think about your writing even when you are not writing. Most of the best ideas come unexpectedly. 8. Cut, cut, cut! Not just words, but whole paragraphs, maybe a whole page. When you can’t think of anyplace to cut, force yourself to keep cutting. 9. Examine your title for effectiveness.