REVISING YOUR ESSAY
P A R T O F G A V I L A N WR I T I N G C E N T E R ’ S P O R T F O L I O S E R I E S
PRACTICAL S
TEPS TO
SUCCESSFULLY
REVISING
YOUR ES
SAY Analyze your essay for organization.Verify sources are cited correctly.Edit and proofread your final draft.
START WITH THE BIG CONCERNS…
Switch from
Writer-Centered
to Reader-
Centered
Analyze Organiza
tion
Tighten Sentence
s and Languag
e
Verify Sources are Cited Correctly
Eliminate Mistakes
in Grammar
and Usage
Check Formatti
ng
…AND THEN WORRY ABOUT EDITING
SWITCH FROM WRITER-CENTERED TO READER-CENTERED
•Detach yourself from what you’ve written. Pretend this is someone else’s essay.•What is the most successful part of the essay? Why? How could this part be made better?
•What is the least successful part of the essay? Why? How could this part be improved?
Pretend You
Didn’t Write It
• Read to a friend, to a pet, or to a mirror.• Have someone read the essay to you.• Listen for awkward phrases, confusing parts—anything that sounds
funny or wrong. Mark these quickly to revise later, but then keep reading!
• Remember—if you are even slightly confused, your reader will be VERY confused.
Read Aloud
• Work with someone else in your class to complete the strategies above.
• Trade papers and use the T.I.P.S.+ handout (in the handout tower) or complete the strategies above.
• Listen carefully to their suggestions and be respectful when you give yours.
Peer Edit
Post-Draft Outline An extremely helpful
revision strategy. Go through your draft and
underline ONLY the thesis and main point of each paragraph.
Using these main points, make a new outline.
Allow yourself to rearrange the main points so they flow as logically as possible.
Write Thesis Statement at top of a sheet of paper.
Paragraph 1 Main Point >para.2
Paragraph 2 Main Point >para.1
Paragraph 3 Main PointParagraph 4 Main Point >
para.6Paragraph 5 Main Point
(delete)Paragraph 6 Main Point >
para.5
ANALYZE ORGANIZATION
Use theT.I.P.S.+
handout
WRITE ANOTHER DRAFT Writing is a Process
Most successful writers make many more than one draft. If you are having trouble, open a clean word document and start fresh.
By retyping your paper—even if you are typing most of the same sentences—you will automatically correct awkward phrases, find better words, and in general make your essay stronger.
Things to Consider When Starting a New Draft Each paragraph should have a single easily identifiable main point.
If there is more than one main point, consider whether you need a paragraph for each main point, if all the points are supporting your thesis, or if you
If you cannot find a main point, consider what the paragraph adds to your essay. It’s okay to get rid of paragraphs and to add new ones. That’s what revision is all about!
VERIFY SOURCE CITATIONUse your Handbook•Rules of Thumb•A Writer’s Reference
Use OWL Purdue• http://
owl.english.purdue.edu
Come to a Workshop•MLA Documentation•APA Documentation
Visit www.gavilan.edu/writing/ for the workshop calendar.
And don’t forget: you can always drop by
to visit your friendly, helpful writing
assistants at the Writing Center!
EDIT AND PROOFREADCome to a Workshop:• Slaying the Grammar Dragon• Mastering the Mechanics
Use these Great Handouts:• Common Mistakes• Steps for Revising & Editing
(Proofreading) Your Paper• Transitional Words• Increasing Your Vocabulary• And More!!!
Make sure the essay follows your teacher’s instructions.
• Font size• Spacing• Page
Numbers• Name/Date• Works Cited/
Reference page
CHECK FORMATTING