Master the Revision Process: Tips and Techniques for Polishing Your Writing
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Presentation Transcript
Revising First Drafts What Does It Mean to Revise?
Revision Process • Concentrate on the Ideas • Make sure you have made all important points about your subject. • Make sure your audience can understand your ideas.
Getting Started with Revision • Read and Review • Read your first draft two or three times. • Read it out loud. • Think about your writing as you read. • Does it follow your plan? • Does it say what you want it to say? • Look for the strong points. • Put a * next to parts that you like. • Look for weak parts – put a check mark next to parts that need work
Revision • Does my writing focus on an interesting part of my subject or on a certain feeling I have about it? • Does the information in my writing follow a method of organization? • Do I need to add any information? • Do I need to add details to make my beginning clearer or more interesting? • Did I vary my sentence beginnings? • Did I use grade appropriate sentences (compound/complex)? • Did I use grade level vocabulary? • Do I need to add ideas to support my thesis? • Do I need to make my closing more effective?
Revision • Do I need to cut any information? • Do any of the details not belong? • Do I repeat myself in any parts? • Do I say too much about a certain idea? • Get rid of filler • Filler is any information you do not need. It bogs down your writing. Cut all information that does not • Develop your focus • Make your main points clearer • Support your thesis or argument • Advance the action of your story.
Revision • Do I need to rewrite any parts? • Do some sentences sound unclear? • Did I keep my verbs in the same verb tense? • Did I correct passive voice verbs? Incorrect: The poem was written by Anne Bradstreet. (passive voice) Correct: Anne Bradstreet wrote the poem. (active voice) • Do I need to reword any explanations?
Revision • Do I need to reorder any parts? • Do any ideas or details seem out of place? • Does the most important point come near the beginning or near the end? • Do I use a chronological order? • Do I use the correct form for compare/contrast? • Did I include transition words between paragraphs?
Revision • Check your opening and ending. • A good opening hooks readers and makes them want to read. • A good ending leaves the reader with something to think about… a scene, a comment, a question, etc.
Revision • Revise for Voice • Match voice to your purpose.
Editing an Proofreading • When editing and proofreading, pay attention to the following three traits of effective writing: smoothness, word choice, and correct, accurate copy. • Sentence smoothness: Make sure that your sentences lead readers smoothly from one point to the next. • Word Choice: Change any troublesome or overused words to improve the overall quality of your writing. • Correct, Accurate Copy: Carefully check your writing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Editing Checklist • Sentence Structure • Did I write clear and complete sentences? • Check for fragments and run-on sentences. • Did I add style to my sentences? • Out of style: • A surplus of calories is necessary for growth in children. • In Style: • Children need plenty of calories for growth. • Place subjects and verbs close to each other
Editing Checklist • Word Choice and Usage • Did I use specific nouns and verbs and colorful adjectives? • Did I use the correct word (to, too, two; there, their, they’re; then, than?)
Editing Checklist • Punctuation • Does each sentence have end punctuation? • Did I use commas and apostrophes correctly? • Did I use semicolons correctly? • Did I punctuate dialogue correctly?
Editing Checklist • Capitalization • Did I start all of my sentences with capital letters? • Did I capitalize the names of important people and places? • Did I capitalize all proper adjectives, for example, English, Spanish, etc.?
Editing Checklist • Grammar • Did I use the correct form of verbs? • Do all the subjects and verbs agree? • Did I write plural nouns correctly?
Editing Checklist • Spelling • Did I check for spelling errors? • Did I check for typos? • Did I check for errors that spell check may have missed?