Writing: Why Revise, and

What to Prioritize? Writing: Why Revise, and

What to Prioritize?

Beth Godbeegodbee@wisc.edu

Beth Godbeegodbee@wisc.edu

A few of my main pointsA few of my main points Writing assignments deepen learning,

and that deepening often requires revision.

Although revising is difficult work, it’s some of the most important intellectual work we do.

We can become better at revision—beginning by learninghow to prioritize.

Writing assignments deepen learning, and that deepening often requires revision.

Although revising is difficult work, it’s some of the most important intellectual work we do.

We can become better at revision—beginning by learninghow to prioritize.

Some FreewritingSome Freewriting

How does writing impact your learning? On a piece of scratch paper, please list a few

ideas.

You might think back to a project that really challenged you or taught you something new.

How does writing impact your learning? On a piece of scratch paper, please list a few

ideas.

You might think back to a project that really challenged you or taught you something new.

Arguments for learning by writing, which requires revision Arguments for learning by writing, which requires revision

Writing is inherently an active cognitive process.

Writing provides opportunities for reflection and metacognition; writing slows down our thinking.

Writing provides an opportunity to discover what we think and know (as well as to discover what we don’t know).

Writing is inherently an active cognitive process.

Writing provides opportunities for reflection and metacognition; writing slows down our thinking.

Writing provides an opportunity to discover what we think and know (as well as to discover what we don’t know).

Writing and learning . . .Writing and learning . . .

Writing demands explicitness.

Writing involves organizing and synthesizing (indicating relationships among) ideas.

Writing makes our ephemeral thoughts more permanent and available to share with others.

Writing demands explicitness.

Writing involves organizing and synthesizing (indicating relationships among) ideas.

Writing makes our ephemeral thoughts more permanent and available to share with others.

Some more freewritingSome more freewriting

What is your approach to revising? When do you revise? Under what circumstances?

How do you usually begin?

What do you hope to accomplish when revising?

What is your approach to revising? When do you revise? Under what circumstances?

How do you usually begin?

What do you hope to accomplish when revising?

Pair-sharePair-share

Share what you wrote with a partner.

Consider together: What does revising mean to you?

What do you prioritize when revising?

Share what you wrote with a partner.

Consider together: What does revising mean to you?

What do you prioritize when revising?

Establishing prioritiesEstablishing priorities

GLOCs *before* LOCs

global local concerns concerns__________________________________

content grammar

__________________________________

rethinking editing

GLOCs *before* LOCs

global local concerns concerns__________________________________

content grammar

__________________________________

rethinking editing

Final take-away pointsFinal take-away points

Remember that revision aims to improve writing, which ideally deepens learning

Prioritize GLOCs—and specifically those connected with the assignment’s central task

Address LOCs later in the process

Identify strengths (what to keep and enhance in your revision)

Talk throughout the process—with friends, peer mentors, and instructors

Remember that revision aims to improve writing, which ideally deepens learning

Prioritize GLOCs—and specifically those connected with the assignment’s central task

Address LOCs later in the process

Identify strengths (what to keep and enhance in your revision)

Talk throughout the process—with friends, peer mentors, and instructors

ExtensionExtension

Putting what we’ve learned into practice What language might you use to talk about

your own writing?

How could you give better feedback to your colleagues?

How could you ask an instructor for advice on improving your paper?

Putting what we’ve learned into practice What language might you use to talk about

your own writing?

How could you give better feedback to your colleagues?

How could you ask an instructor for advice on improving your paper?