Successful Revising Techniques
Rewriting is the essence of writing well—where the game is won or lost. —William Zinsser This is very true - instructors don't expect everything in the first draft and, in fact, expect what Anne Lammott would call a "shitty first draft." Here is some basic advice when it comes to revising drafts: 1) Revision is NOT just about fixing grammar and spelling. 2) Revision is NOT just about moving some words around or finding every synonym Word has to offer. 3) REREAD the prompt. Are you answering the question being proffered, or have you gone off on some tangent? Get back on track and revise towards the prompt. 4) Check in with your thesis. Is this the paper you just wrote, or did you discover a new approach towards the topic as you wrote your exploratory draft? Make necessary adjustments. 5) When revising the next draft "think big"....what kind of evidence (stats, facts, quotes, examples) do you need to support ALL of your points? ...