4.1: After Writing- Revision and Editing
- Page ID
- 315252
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)"Writing is revision" is a saying you have probably heard; we all know revision is an important part of the writing process, but many students are not sure how they should go about revising an essay other than running spell check and checking for missing commas.
Consider the example of sending a text message. When you send a text, you might not consider correctness as much as you do in a paper, but you do revise for other issues. First, you often consider your purpose: will the recipient understand what I am asking based on the words I used? You would probably also think about your tone: we have all miscommunicated in a text message before and come across as upset or sad when we were the opposite. Both purpose and tone are also issues we should look for in an essay.
The most important thing to acknowledge about revision is that it is difficult. Revising your paper will not be easy but completing a thorough revision of each paper you write for this and any other class will most definitely be worth your time. A thorough revision will leave you scrutinizing the key elements and content of your paper and taking the time to consider both global and sentence level issues will leave you with not only correct sentences but with skillful paragraphs and a meaningful paper.
Gaining Distance
Before revising your draft, gain some distance from the essay. If you revise something right after you have finished writing it, you will have a harder time finding your mistakes and seeing your sentences and overall paper objectively. However, once you allow yourself some time, it will be easier to gain perspective and be honest about your work.
Hopefully, you have enough time that you can leave at least a day or two between drafts, but even if you can only allow a few hours between drafts, that will help you edit more effectively.
To gain distance between yourself and the draft, also consider these tips:
- Read your draft aloud or have someone read your draft aloud to you.
- Be sure to allow time between drafts. If you can't allow a lot of time, do something else to clear your mind for a little bit and then look back at your draft.
- Outline your essay carefully: this will help you see how well the pieces of your paper fit together and where you might need more work.
- Read someone else's essay. Whether it is from a peer or a professional writer, reading an essay that is similar to yours in some way will give you a point of comparison.
Revision vs. Editing
When you revise, you look at more general issues within the essay, such as the structure, organization, and purpose. When you edit, you look at individual sentences and grammatical correctness. Each of these steps will take time and patience, but you will find revision a lengthier process that requires more critical thinking than simply editing for commas and wording.
Revision
Revision is a process that involves a high level of critical thinking because it means re-seeing and being critical of content you have created. Most people find it difficult to be critical-- it is hard to give constructive feedback. However, this process is made even more difficult when the content is yours; you need to be critical enough to see your content through fresh, objective eyes, but you need to be nice enough that you maintain the motivation to make changes. Just saying, "This paper is awful" never got anyone anywhere in the revision process.
When you revise, you consider the larger aspects of the paper. To effectively revise, you do need to be sure you have left time (preferably a couple of days) between your rough draft and your revision; if you revise immediately after you conclude writing, there is a good chance you will struggle to be honest with yourself about the paper and its faults. Begin with the thesis, considering its wording and if it unifies the paper (see 3.2 for help with unification).
After the thesis, consider each paragraph independently and in the context of the thesis. Is each paragraph grounded in specific examples and details? Do you go in-depth enough with each example? Do you have your own analysis in each paragraph that links the paragraph back to the thesis? Do you transition between details within your paragraphs? See section 3.3 for more help with revising for coherence, which can help with your transitions and organization.
Next, consider the organization of your paragraphs and the transitions between paragraphs. This is covered more thoroughly in sections 3.3 and 3.4, but after you examine individual paragraphs, consider the body as a whole and be sure it is ordered effectively.
Finally, closely consider your introduction and conclusion. Does your introduction catch the reader's interest while setting up your thesis in a unique manner? If not, try to add more description to the introduction, or consider beginning with a story or entertaining example. Does your conclusion move past summarizing the paper? Remember, the first two to three sentences should summarize the paper, but after that, you should move into the "bigger picture": consider the significance of your point and what you want your reader to take away from the paper. See section 3.5 for more details on what to look for when you edit your introduction and conclusion but remember to be especially critical of these paragraphs as you revise: the introduction and the conclusion are arguably the most important paragraphs in a paper but are the hardest to write.
It is also advisable to look back at the assignment and any grading information as you revise. Does your paper meet the requirements? Did you address the prompt? Reviewing these documents can save you surprises when you get your grade and comments from your teacher.
Editing
Editing is a simpler process than revision, but it is often just as difficult. Editing means to look at the correctness of your sentences, including sentence-level issues and citations. However, chances are you have a lot more experience with editing than with revision. For a checklist of sentence-level issues to check for, see the checklist on page 61.
Getting help with editing is quite a bit easier than getting help with revision. If you don't have time to visit the tutoring center or submit your paper to the OWL, consider simply using the free version of Grammarly for a grammar check at any hour of the day.