2. Revision is perhaps the most
crucial component to essay
writing. It helps decrease
writing anxiety, improves
rhetoric quality, and even helps
boost a paper’s grade!
Why do I need
to revise my
paper?
Personal editing, peer editing,
and sessions with the Writing
Center are all excellent revision
devices that are available to all
students.
Utilizing
these
resources will ensure that you
write the best paper you are
capable of creating.
3. Congratulations!
You’ve finished
your first draft.
Now what?
Most of us are tempted to
write that first draft at 3am,
and call it quits. However, that
is only one step in the writing
process! After the first draft is
completed, there are grammar,
substantive, citation, and
overall comprehension checks
that must be done!
So guzzle that Red Bull and
let’s keep on working (I
promise we’ll get through it in
one piece!)
4. Step 1:
Put the paper
down and step
away!
Give your brain a break. If you
have the time, leave the paper
alone and sleep on the ideas
before coming back the next
day.
If you are pressed for time,
take a 30 minute break to
refresh and regenerate your
thought process.
5. Do check that your paper
contains the following:
Step 2:
Check for the
basic essay
components
Introduction
Thesis
Body paragraphs with
correctly cited evidence
Conclusion
Do not worry about mechanics,
grammar, and formatting yet.
6. Step 3:
Make sure the
paper does not
deviate from
the thesis
Delete paragraphs that only
tangentially relate to your
ideas.
Elaborate on the ideas that
strengthen your thesis, and
place less emphasis on
secondary ideas
Use evidence, analysis, and
rhetoric to tie any loose ends
and reign in ideas that
wander beyond your paper’s
scope
7. Step 4:
Read the paper
out loud and
check for
clarity
Mark any parts that do not
make sense, sound choppy,
or do not flow properly
Check your syntax, re-write
the sentences, and make sure
that you are satisfied with
the revision.
Erase segments that do not
make sense or do not flow,
and replace them with newly
written thoughts
8. Rearrange paragraphs to
improve idea flow
Step 5:
Address paper
mechanics
Check for transitions
between each paragraph,
idea, and statement
Complete a full grammar and
spelling assessment
Format all citations correctly
9. Revision is a continuous
process
Repeat as
many times as
necessary
Do not feel pressured to
submit a paper until wholly
satisfied with its final
content, style, and overall
quality
Feel free to share the paper
with your professor and
classmates for additional
suggestion
