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. Circle ALL the linking and helping verbs in the essay Step 1a. Circle ALL the linking and helping verbs in the essay. Contractions count, too. (Isn’t, Wasn’t, etc.) *Am *Had *Is *Have *Are *Has *Was *Could *Were *Should *Be *Would *Being *Can *Been *Will These are weak verbs. As often as possible, use action verbs to make your writing more alive. How many weak verbs do you have? Write that number at the top of your paper.

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. 1. [Bracket] the first word in every sentence Step 2. 1. [Bracket] the first word in every sentence. This shows whether you are beginning too many sentences the same way. 2. Change at least three sentences. 3. You can start the sentence with a prepositional or an introductory phrase. Example: [The] author stated, “……”(Brown 26). [The] research proves that … In the research, “…(Brown 26). Further reading revealed …

Step 3. 1. Revise your writing for repetitions. 2 Step 3. 1. Revise your writing for repetitions. 2. With a yellow highlighter, highlight the words that have been repeated (three times or more). 3. Reward the sentence by using synonyms to replace these repetitions.

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. i.e.: compound, complex, compound-complex sentences *Too many short sentences will prevent your sentence from flowing. *Too many long sentences can confuse the reader.

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) Step 4b

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

Step 6 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.