English Discussion Letter

Chapter Seven:

Revising

Timothy P. Goss and Alexander V. Ames, Ph.D.

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What is Revision?

The word revision literally means “to see

again.” Revising essays is often confused

with editing and proofreading, but these

elements of the writing process, although

important, do not constitute the revision.

process. Simply correcting errors in

grammar, usage, mechanics, or formatting is

not revision; that is proofreading. Similarly,

revising is not simply switching a few words

around or adding a transition or two in order

to help the flow of an essay; that is what we

refer to as the process of editing. Revision

entails real change. It means not only

looking at the words on the page, but also

examining the value and relevance of what

they mean in concert with one another.

We have spent the majority of this course looking at the philosophical nature of writing, reading,

and arguing. Through our discussion forums, we have discussed some of the more controversial

issues in the world today. We have practiced our writing skills, made plans for writing our

researched essays, read and researched our issues, created our arguments, and have written our

rough drafts. Now comes the hard part: The revision process.

This is the dirty part, the time in the class where we roll up our sleeves, put on our poker faces,

and ready ourselves for battle. While we have spent this course painting the writing process as

something worth enjoying, there is no way to sugarcoat the process of revision; this is work.

Revising an essay demands that we step outside of ourselves and look back without mercy. No

word, no line, no paragraph, no piece of our essay is beyond reproach. Each piece is subject to

the recycle bin, and it is the job of the reviser to put them there. Revision, as we began this

chapter by saying, is about rethinking the entire process. This is about truly getting into our

readers’ heads and seeing our work through their eyes, as if they are the ones evaluating it.

What argument is being made?

How is that argument being delivered?

How effective is the argument?

As rough as we have painted the revision process, it can be easier if you approach it with a plan.

The following is a list that may help you to think about revision and to revise your essay:

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Revision Tips and Tricks

Start by reevaluating your audience. Read through your essay as if you are not the writer, but a reader. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Did you leave anything out? Is there any

piece of your essay that does not belong?

Identify your thesis and your thesis statement. Write it down on a separate piece of paper. Go through each paragraph in your essay and identify each main point. Does each point

help to support your thesis? Do you make any unnecessary statements?

Think about your initial research question. Did you answer it? Did you provide enough evidence to answer it for your readers?

Go back through your essay again. Find the strong points you have made and summarize each of them in a single sentence. Once again, check to see that they support your thesis.

Find the problem areas in your essay (logical fallacies, wording issues, points that are off- topic, hard transitions, etc.). Try rewriting these points to see if they can be saved. If not,

remove them.

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Get help. No matter how good you feel your essay is, you could benefit from having someone else read it. The more eyes you get on your essay, the better you can determine

the effectiveness of your writing.

Read your essay aloud. If you find yourself stumbling over words or concepts, mark those areas down for revision.

Repeat the process. Take a break. Revise again.

Proofread and edit your work.

Do not forget to incorporate any changes your instructor may have suggested. Just a hint: they really are not suggestions.

If you run into any problems along the way, ask your instructor and/or visit the Writing Center. Your resources are there for a reason.

© Grantham University 2012

Work your revision in stages. Give yourself time to work with your essay. Take

breaks when you find yourself stuck or when you feel like you are finished. Then

go back and revisit the process.