Using Ratiocination to Revise Writing

Ratiocination Ratiocination is the process of exact thinking Ratiocination Ratiocination is the process of exact thinking. We will REVISE AND EDIT our rough drafts using this PROCESS.

Step 1a. “To Be” Circle ALL linking and helping verbs in the essay Step 1a. “To Be” Circle ALL linking and helping verbs in the essay. Contractions count, too. (Isn’t, Wasn’t, etc.) *Am *Can *Is *Would *Are *Could *Should *Be *Had *Was *Being *Have *Were *Been *Has *Will How many weak verbs do you have? Write that number at the top of your paper. -replace with action verbs (meaningful and exact) -fix passive voice to active voice *Delete ALL contractions -leave alone if other options would be for the worse

Step 1b. Revise your paper as much as possible WITHOUT weak verbs Step 1b. *Revise your paper as much as possible WITHOUT weak verbs. Reduce the number of them by half. *Using a pen, write the strong verb above the “to be verb” you are replacing. Example: I had a heavy bag on my back. lugged

Step 2. Sentence Variety 1. [Bracket] the first word in every sentence Step 2. Sentence Variety 1. [Bracket] the first word in every sentence. This shows whether you are beginning too many sentences the same way. 2. If many (3+) sentences begin with the same word or phrase, revise. Think about the transitional words and whether they are effective. 3. You can start the sentence with a prepositional or an introductory phrase. Example: [I ] hated going camping in the woods during the summer. [I] packed my clothes with little effort. During the summer, I hated going camping. With little effort, I packed my clothes.

Step 3. Repetition 1. Revise your writing for repetitions. 2 Step 3. Repetition 1. Revise your writing for repetitions. 2. With a colored pencil, draw a wavy line beneath words that have been repeated (three times or more). Include: “a,” “an,” “the” -if the repetition is for emphasis, leave it. -if the repetition is for parallel structure, leave it. -if the repetition is careless, replace.

Step 4a Use two alternating colors to underline each sentence. This will help you to do two things: 1. Check if your sentence lengths are varied. *You need a combination of long and short sentences. *Too many short sentences will prevent your sentences from flowing. *Too many long sentences can confuse the reader. -same length sentences, shorten or lengthen for variety -too many short, choppy sentences, combine -too many long, complex sentences, separate and shorten

2. Find RUN-ONS and FRAGMENTS a. Correct any of these mistakes 2. Find RUN-ONS and FRAGMENTS a. Correct any of these mistakes. A run-on sentence is when you put several sentences together with an incorrect or no punctuation. Ex. The rain was pouring, it came down in huge drops. The rain was pouring it came down in huge drops. A fragment is not a complete thought and needs a subject and a predicate. Ex. As we walked to the park on the weekend. Because we were late for the party. (dependent clause) And prevent further violence in peaceful American cities and towns by creating gun ownership laws. Step 4b

Step 5. “Dead Words” 1. Revise your vocabulary to more specific, detailed words. 2. Use a yellow highlighter to highlight all plain words such as: said, very, got, get, nice, bad, thing, good, stuff, awesome, wonderful, really, a lot, and so. 3. Try to use more vivid words in their place; write the new words above the highlighted words you will replace.

Step 7: Clean the Clutter Put a triangle around “There is,” There are,” “it is,” “it was,” “this is” (use action verbs) Mark out “I think,” “I feel,” “in my opinion,” “personally,” “I believe,” “it is my opinion,” Mark out all instances of “you” with an X -do not directly address your audience in formal writing -be careful when replacing “you” with “one” (it can sound forced)

Step 8 1. Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. This makes your writing more interesting. 2. Improve your writing by including similes and metaphors. 3. Similes: Choose a word in your writing and compare it with something else using the words “like” or “as. Write the new sentence in the margin. Example: My sadness was as unending as the ocean. 4. Metaphor: Choose an idea in your writing and describe it by stating that it is/was something else. Do not use the words “like” or “as. Write the new sentence in the margin. Example: Brian was a wall, stopping every soccer ball from blasting into the net.

Step 9: Clichés Draw a box around all clichés -Revise for originality -unless the cliché is in dialogue, revise.