Ratiocination Process

1. Ratiocination Process

2. Ratiocination is a wonderful tool for revising your essay. It allows you to pinpoint specific problem areas and correct them easily.

3. Select two different colors of highlighters. • Highlight every sentence (not lines) in your essay alternating colors. For example, if you use a yellow highlighter for the first sentence, use orange for the second. • Look for variation in sentence length, as well as run-ons and fragments. Fix any run-ons or fragments that you discover. • If you notice that your sentences are mostly the same length, try combining some of them to create complex sentences.

4. BRACKETS • Put brackets around the first word in every sentence. • Example: [John] and I ran to the store. [When] we arrived we were out of breath and decided to wait before we entered. [While] we were waiting John saw… • This shows you whether or not you’re beginning too many sentences the same way. Unless it’s for effect, try not to start several consecutive sentences the same way. • If you discover that you’ve begun several sentences the same way, find ways to change some of them. For example, see if you could move the sentence parts around and begin the sentence with a dependent clause.

5. TO BE VERBS • Circle all the to be verbs in the essay. To be verbs are passive and can make your writing sound weak. As often as possible, use action verbs to make your writing more alive. • Add up the total number of to be verbs in your essay. Find a way to change 1/3 of them into action verbs. Again, this may mean re-wording some sentences. (If you’re feeling especially ambitious, decrease your to be verbs by half!) • TO BE VERBS INCLUDE: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been

6. PRONOUNS • Draw a triangle around every pronoun. Then draw an arrow from the pronoun to its antecedent (the noun it’s replacing) • Allows you to check for pronoun-antecedent agreement; it also helps you see if your pronouns are too far away from their antecedents, which can affect clarity. • If you discover any pronouns that don’t have clear antecedents, make the necessary changes so that your paper has improved clarity. • Example: John went to the store. He walked in and decided that he did not need a basket. He was only going to buy a few items. He went to the produce aisle first, where he picked out two apples.

7. PRONOUNS I, me, my, his, her, it, its, myself, herself, himself, itself, themselves, he, she, mine, your, yours, our, ours, them, theirs, they, we, you, everyone, us, him, everybody, yourself, who, whom

8. Imprecise Words • Draw an X over the imprecise words • Encourages you to think about your diction and use more vivid language. • Use the context and your own good judgment to determine if there are any instances where the Xed out word(s) should stay. As a general rule, get rid of imprecise words.

9. Imprecise Words • really, some, very, like, always, many, sometimes, this, that • Example: You did a really good job with some of the answers. I like the way you very simply worded this answer. • Rewrite: You did an excellent job answering the comprehension questions. I like the way you simply worded this answer.