Revising Your Paper
Revising and Editing are often confused or interchanged like they mean the same thing, but the two are very different processes. Before you work on editing (which deals with looking at errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics), your focus is only on revising. Revising literally means “to see again.” When you revise something you have written, you will want to allow some time between the draft and revision stages. This will help you see the piece more clearly than if you tried to revise immediately after you finished writing.Revising allows you to make significant and meaningful changes to the content of your paper.
Typical Questions for Revision
You will want to focus on three main areas for revising a formal research paper: Organization, Content and Style, and Research and Format. In this interactivity, click on each of the categorie to see what questions writers typically ask of themselves when they revise a rough draft. Click the player button to get started.
View a printable version of this interactivity.
Revision Methods
Now that you have asked yourself many of the important questions about revising your paper, you need to select a method of revision. Of course, the best method is to revise the paper using all three strategies. The more feedback you get, the stronger your paper will become. Please review the three different strategies you can use to successfully revise your paper:
Reading Aloud – You can do this on your own or read it to someone else. Either way, you will want to make sure your paper is clear and that your ideas flow smoothly from one to another. If you do this with a partner, have the person stop you when he or she has questions and jot those down. Remember this rule: If one or more people tell you something is unclear, then it probably is (no matter how clear it seems in your head.)
Peer Revision – You can exchange papers with other people and have them provide written feedback. This typically works best when you exchange with people who have also completed the assignment, as they will be well aware of what the requirements are. Remember to be honest without being harsh when conducting peer revision.
Constructive criticism is wonderful; however, providing no feedback or telling someone the paper is great when it is not does not help anyone. Likewise, being harsh or mean will not help anyone either. Try to find some positive things to say as well as some areas in which the writer could improve.
Instructor Feedback – Your instructor may check all or part of your paper. Your instructor may focus on only one part of the research paper or may give you feedback on the entire paper. Whatever type of feedback you receive, you will want to strongly consider making those changes, since your instructor is the one who will be evaluating your final product.
Revision Review
If you took your time writing and proof reading your first draft, then the revision process will go very smoothly. Before you revise your paper, it is time to test your knowledge of the revision process. In this non-graded interactivity, read the statement and decide if it is part of the revision process. If the statement is part of the revision process, select Yes. If not, select No. To check your answers click SUBMIT. Click the player button to get started.