This document discusses revision techniques for writing. It begins by reviewing key concepts from the previous week on paragraph structure. It then outlines the stages of revision: revising for overall meaning, paragraph development, and sentences/words. For overall meaning, the document advises examining how well the thesis is supported and the organizational structure. For paragraphs, it recommends ensuring each supports the thesis through a clear topic sentence and details. Finally, it discusses editing techniques like allowing time between drafts, getting feedback, and proofreading carefully for typos. The homework is to begin work on a course project.

1. GE 117 Composition IWeek 4 – Principles of Revision and ProofreadingREVISION IS THE HEART OF THE WRITING PROCESS!!!!!!

2. Week 3 ReviewLast week we discussed the role of a Paragraph in the writing process.A paragraph is a self-contained unit of writing. All effective writing is built upon paragraph development.A paragraph is defined by what it does, what it looks like.

3. Week 3 ReviewA Paragraph is organized around a central idea. This idea is usually expressed via a Topic Sentence.The rest of the Paragraph is arranged by a specific form of organization.Common Organizational Patterns include Simple-Complex, Chronological, Spatial, and Emphatic.

4. Week 3 ReviewHomework Assignment : A Childhood Memory.One Paragraph of 8-12 sentences on a Childhood Memory.Make use of specific details.Make use of a specific Organizational Pattern.

5. Week 4 ObjectivesLike, What’s happening today?Describe and use the stages and principles of Revision in the Writing ProcessReview Editing and Proofreading techniques to reduce the frequency of typos.Utilize and practice navigating electronic sources of information, including the Internet and the Virtual Library

6. Week 4 - RevisionQ: What is the difference between revising, editing, and proofreading?A: Revision is about adding, subtracting, reshaping or reforming a First Draft.Editing is about correcting syntax, grammar, and mechanics.Proofreading is about finding and fixing spelling mistakes, homonyms, and typos.

7. Week 4 - RevisionThere are generally 3 stages you move through as you attempt to Revise a rough draft:Stage 1: Revise for Overall MeaningStage 2: Revise for Paragraph developmentStage 3: Revise for Sentences and Words

8. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Overall MeaningStage 1 of Revision requires you to look at the “Big Picture.” Sometimes it helps to give yourself time away from your draft. You should compare your draft to your initial planning/prewriting—save multiple files.You should ask yourself some key questions (see pages 98-99 in Longman Writer)

9. Week 4 - RevisionHow well did you meet your intended objective(s)?How appropriate was your tone and diction?How well did you address the needs/expectations of your audience?According to what organizational method is your draft structured?What are the main ideas of the essay?

10. Week 4 - Revison Revising for Overall Meaning is similar to the first stage of home renovation – you must pay attention to the large scale structures first (foundation, framing, etc), before moving on to any smaller scale. Otherwise, your essay might be like a poorly built house - perhaps pretty to look at, but unstable and unsuitable to live in.

11. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Paragraph DevelopmentOnce you have paid attention to Overall Meaning, you should move through each individual paragraph, one by one.This is similar to fixing things in a home floor by floor, once we are sure the Overall Structure and Foundation are solid.

12. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Paragraph Development As you move from each paragraph to the next, many of the questions you asked in Stage 1 reappear and some new ones emerge.See pages 100-101 in Longman Writer.

13. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Paragraph DevelopmentDo all Paragraphs support the essay’s Thesis (Main Idea) or do any contradict/undermine?How is each Paragraph organized? Does the Pattern make sense?What is each Paragraph’s Main Idea? Is there a Topic Sentence?

14. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Paragraph DevelopmentDoes each Paragraph make use of specific details, ideas, examples, or are some vague/unspecific?How are the Paragraphs sequenced in the essay? Does the Pattern make sense?Is there an Introduction and Conclusion Paragraph?

15. Week 4 RevisionRevising for Sentences and WordsThe last scale of Revision is the smallest – we focus on sentence and words last. This stage of Revision is liking making aesthetic improvements to a house – paint, tiles, carpets, etc. But it must always come last! You don’t paint a wall or a door that might get knocked down!

16. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Sentences and Words After moving through your individual paragraphs (or while you move through them), you can choose to “sharpen” individual sentences and words to make your overall essay a better product.

17. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Sentences and Words At this smallest scale, you should focus on some common concerns (see page 118 in Longman Writer).Having your prewriting and planning available will help you compare what you’ve got on paper with what you “wanted” to write.

18. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Sentences and WordsTone – Compared to your planning, how is your Tone and Diction? Do any words or sentences not “fit in?”Economy – Have you used as few words as necessary to express your ideas, or do you find yourself using far more than necessary? Remember: Brevity is King/Queen

19. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Sentences and WordsType Variety – Good writers will use a variety of Sentence Types- Simple, Compound, and Complex. Avoid using only 1 sentence type. (See pages 109-113 in Longman Writer.) Yo Teach, Whaddya mean?Length and Tempo – Good writers mix and match different sentence lengths to ensure a readable rhythm. Baldwin uses long and short sentences. Spice it up.

20. Week 4 - RevisionRevising for Sentences and WordsSpecific – Do sentences use real, genuine examples/ideas, or are they vague/general?Active – For the most part, do sentences use Action Verbs, or Passive Verbs (to be, to seem, to feel, etc.) Good writing is full of Action, not Being!

21. Week 4 - RevisionEditing and Proofreading After you have moved through the 3 stages of revision, you should focus on Editing and Proofreading. Editing is concerned with syntax and grammar, while Proofreading is concerned with spelling mistakes and typos.

22. Week 4 - RevisionEditing and Proofreading Here are some useful tips:1) Put your draft away for at least 24 hours. You can’t find your mistakes right after you’ve written something.2) Get feedback! Always have a second pair of eyes look for mistakes you won’t (or can’t) be able to find.

23. Week 4 -RevisionEditing and Proofreading3) Always work from typed text, with margins and double spacing. It makes reading easier, and allows corrections to be clear and visible. I also recommend printing out a copy—certain errors are hard to spot on a computer screen.4) Read your draft aloud. Your mind “skips over” mistakes your voice would stumble upon. Mistakes are more clear when you read aloud.

24. Week 4 - RevisionEditing and Proofreading5) Use (but never rely on) Grammar and Spell Checkers. All word processing software has them, but they can’t catch everything.6) Know thyself. If you are bad at spelling (or grammar, punctuation, etc) admit it, allocate more time to check your work, and have good spellers help you!

25. Week 4 - RevisionEditing and Proofreading7) Be aware of commonly misspelled words and homonyms (words that sound alike but are spelled differently) such as They’re, Their, There, and Where, wear, were. They account for a large percentage of all errors.8) Become familiar with Proofreader Marks (see page 136 in Longman Writer) that are commonly used.

26. Week 4 - RevisionEditing and Proofreading9) Pay attention to detail. When you have many small mistakes, they often speak volumes more about you (and your work ethic) than one large mistake would. 10) Strive to improve. Be honest, know your weak areas, and always try to get better. Some of the world’s best writers were also the worst spellers! But they improved!

27. Week 4 - RevisionHomework Assignment course project part IReading: