Revision is…  Writing (and writing is revision)  Not the same as editing  A circular process Some people do it while they are writing  The best way to get an A!  Seriously, your instructor can tell when you haven’t revised.

Levels of revision 1.Paper 2.Paragraph 3.Sentence

Paper  Have I completed all of the requirements?  What is this literacy? (i.e., how does it work? How does it qualify as a literacy?)  How did you develop it?  What is the significance of your literacy? (i.e., what larger themes or issues does your literacy relate to?)  3 to 5 page MLA formatted paper (see The Little, Brown Handbook for details!)  Cover page with an introductory image (properly attributed), making sure it is clear how the image leads into your narrative  Is your thesis clear?  Does the rest of the paper work to support it?  Are your ideas your own?  Don’t just regurgitate what I’ve said in class. Make connections. Think critically!  Make it clear that this is your paper, talking about your experiences. Being distinct in you ideas, approach, and voice will also make it clear that you didn’t plagiarize. Conversely, if there’s a sudden shift in tone, it might be clear that you did.  If you make a claim, back it up. Unsubstantiated generalizations do not work in college writing.  Look at your claim from the POV of someone who disagrees, and see any counterclaim could be made.  Are your paragraphs organized logically?  Does each paragraph build upon what has come before it?  If you changed the order of the paragraphs, would it make a significant difference?  Does your transition from one idea to another make sense?  Use sign posts to signal your transitions, but don’t use cliché language.

Paragraph  Does each paragraph stand on its own?  Is there one main idea, and do you develop it thoroughly before moving on? Or do you have too many ideas crammed into one paragraph, and do you skip from one to the next without taking the time to support each one?  Does each paragraph support your thesis?  Is it clear how they do so?  Make sure each paragraph includes the following:  Topic: What is this paragraph trying to say?  Support: What evidence or examples do you use?  Explanation: How are those details relevant?

Sentence  Read each sentence aloud to see if it sounds clear.  Too many prepositional phrases in a row can usually be rewritten. “The topic which is of most importance in the lives of women is the issue—which most people often underestimate or overlook, but which is nevertheless critical—of discriminatory hiring.” “Discriminatory hiring affects countless women, but its effects often go unnoticed.”  Avoid repetitious language, unless it is for effect.  Ex. “I have a dream…”  Delete unnecessary words.  Long verb phrases can usually be replaced with more specific, active verbs.  Make sure your voice is consistent.  Have you switched back and forth between 1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd person? Is that appropriate? (If it’s within the same sentence, probably not.)

Make sure your tone is appropriate. Formal  It is imperative that you reconsider your current behavior and actions, lest you become the architect of your own destruction. Informal  You best check yo’self before you wreck yo’self. Depending on the context, the former might be too formal. There are times when the latter might be the better choice.

Use the right word!  Using the synonym feature in MS Word is fine, but don’t rely on it. Make sure you know the connotation of the word you’re using.  Don’t know the difference between some of the words being suggested? I can tell.

Revising strategies  Try cutting apart your paragraphs and changing the order. Does your paper make more or less sense?  Look at individual paragraphs. Use different colors or numbers of lines to underline the topic, support, and explanation.  Highlight your thesis, and then highlight where each paragraph connects to the thesis.  Pick a paragraph and rewrite it using fewer words.  Skim your paper and mark any shifts in tone, tense, or person. Do they work, or should they be revised?  Read each paragraph aloud (or in your head) to see if it sounds awkward.