Revision and Editing Workshop

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Revision and Editing Workshop

• The Writing Studio
• Bate Building
• 2005

2
Introduction

• Revision is one of the most important steps of
  the writing process. Minor revision involves
  spelling, grammar, and mechanical errors, whereas
  major revision includes organization and content.
  

3
Self revision

• It is important to read your own papers aloud
  because you can become familiar with your own
  voice. In order to improve your writing you must
  become aware of how your writing sounds to others.

4
Peer revision

• It is always a good idea to provide your peer
  reviewer with a checklist of sorts. Tell your
  reviewer things you would like them to look for
  (organization, detail, spelling). If she has a
  definite agenda, your review session will be more
  fruitful.

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Writing consultation

• The writing studio is NOT an editing service. We
  are here to assist the writing process. We offer
  suggestions for brainstorming, sentence structure
  and organization. We also provide tips for
  improving grammar and punctuation. Our overall
  goal is to help you become familiar with your own
  writing.

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Consider these questions for Major revisions

• What is the purpose of the paper?
• Have the instructions given by your professor
  been followed?
• Identify the authors intent. What approach have
  they taken and is it effective?
• Tone is important. What is the mood of the
  piece?

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Important questions for major revisions cont.

• Is there an effective introductory paragraph?
• Is the thesis clearly defined?
• Do the arguments presented support the thesis?
• Is the overall organization of the paper clear?

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Important questions for major revisions cont.

• Are the transitions between paragraphs effective?
  
• Is there a well-defined conclusion?
• Are the points made clearly related to one
  another?

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Consider these questions about Minor revisions

• Are there any misspelled words?
• Are there any punctuation mistakes?
• Are there inconsistencies in verb tenses?
• Are there inconsistencies in pronoun usage?
• Are there subject/verb agreements?