What is revising?
Revising is different from editing and proofreading. It is the process of “reconsidering your arguments, reviewing your evidence, refining your purpose, reorganizing your presentation, reviving stale prose.” – UNC Writing Center
Revising is important for making sure that your document effectively communicates your main ideas.
How can I revise my own work?
Reverse outlining is one process that may help you in the revision process.
Steps for reverse outlining:
- Finish drafting a section of your document.
- Write down the main point of each paragraph.
- Assess whether you have presented the main points in the most intuitive or effective order.
- Determine whether you have repeated any main points.
- Determine whether you have omitted any main points.
- Flag any paragraphs that present more than one main point.
- Reorder your document.
- Rewrite, modify, or separate any paragraphs that present more than one point.
- Finish your next draft and begin the process again. If you can, take a break between drafts.
- When you are ready, have someone else provide feedback on your draft.
How can I revise the work of others?
When reviewing someone’s work, make sure the you have:
- Identified strengths and weaknesses of the document.
- Provided specific examples of those strengths and weaknesses.
- Assessed higher-order concerns, such as document organization and thesis sentences.
- Assessed lower-order concerns, such as word choice, spelling, and grammar.
- Given generous, but assertive feedback?