Editing your paper with Ratiocination

Ratiocination: Step 1 In YELLOW Circle every “be” verb you can find in your paper.  What are “be” verbs? be, being, been, am, are, was, were, is When you are finished, count the number of “be” verbs and write the number at the top of your paper. When revising, cut this number in half!

Ratiocination: Step 2 Underline every other sentence in your paper. Begin with the color RED. Then, go back and underline the other sentences with a different DARK BLUE color. Every sentence in your paper should be underlined in alternating colors. Evaluate your sentence lengths. Are they all short? All long? Are there any really short ones that may be fragments? Any long ones that may be run-ons? Make changes when you revise so the pattern of sentence length varies.

Ratiocination: Step 3 Using the color GREEN, draw a bracket around the first word of every sentence in your paper. In the margin, make a list of your first words. Are there any patterns? Are there several that start with the same word? When you revise, change some up so you have a nice variety.

Ratiocination: Step 4 Find the bland words in your writing and cross them out using the color ORANGE.  What words are “bland”? Very, got, get, stuff, so, etc. When revising, replace them with more vivid words. Find the repeated words and make a wavy line under the repeated words using the color BROWN.

Ratiocination: Step 5 Using the color BLACK, draw a box around clichés phrases in your paper. Are there any patterns? Are there several of the same clichés in your essay? When you revise, change some up so you have a nice variety.

Ratiocination: Step 6 Put it in a LIGHT BLUE triangle. What does it refer to in your sentence? Is it clear to the reader?

YOU will have your classmates look at your paper.

Final Draft Reminders If you are typing the final draft:  Use black ink  Times New Roman  12 pt font  Double space Include the proper header in the upper left-hand corner (your name, teacher, class, date) Include a title