Revision

Revision means to see again. When you revise your work, you should be looking again at the content of the essay (and ONLY the content). It is at this stage that you will examine your organization, development, and specificity.

In the revisioning stage you should be able to determine your thesis. Whether stated or implied, it should be present.

Step One: Find Your Thesis

To find your thesis, ask yourself these questions:

1. What point am I attempting to make in this essay?
2. Is this point clearly evident to my audience?

You need a thesis before you proceed with your revision because without a thesis, you will be unable to determine the logic or relevance of any other ideas.

Step Two: Evaluate Paragraphs

Ask yourself these questions about each body paragraph in your essay:

1. What point am I trying to make in this paragraph? You should be making only one point per paragraph.
2. How does this paragraph relate to the one before and after it?
3. Do I make these connections clear with transitional words and phrases?
4. Do I have a topic sentence that is clearly connected to my thesis idea?
5. Do I explain and develop my idea in this paragraph?
6. Do I use examples? Could I use better ones?
7. Have I been as specific, vivid, and descriptive as possible?

Step Three: Evaluating Sentences

1. Are my sentences clear and focused or are they rambling and repetitive?
2. Can I add adjectives and adverbs or find a more lively verb?
3. When I read the sentence aloud, does it sound awkward? Are any words missing?
4. Might any of my sentences be combined in order to connect my ideas and express my ideas more effectively?

» Back to The Writing Process