1. Using Ratiocination to Revise Writing

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Step 2. 1. [Bracket] the first word in every sentence
Step [Bracket] the first word in every sentence. This shows whether you are beginning too many sentences the same way Change at least three sentences. 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.

6. Step 3. 1. Revise your writing for repetitions. 2
Step Revise your writing for repetitions. 2. With a colored pencil, draw a wavy line beneath words that have been repeated (three times or more) Reward the sentence by using synonyms to replace these repetitions.

7. 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 sentence from flowing. *Too many long sentences can confuse the reader.

8. 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

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

10. Step 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 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 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.