How to Revise a Piece of Writing
Allow time between writing and revising., Review your introduction., Examine the structure of the work., Clarify and remove repetitive language., Create smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs., Ensure that your conclusion is clear and...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Allow time between writing and revising.
Setting aside written work for a few hours, a day or several days will give you a fresh perspective. , An effective introduction is clear, easy to understand and an accurate indication of what the reader can expect from reading the rest of your piece.
Assess the clarity of your introduction.
Ensure that your main argument or point is stated clearly.
If you are using terminology that the reader may not understand, clarify its meaning and context at the beginning of your written piece. , A well-organized essay or article leads the reader through a clear line of thinking.
Decide whether your work is properly structured.
For example, in a how-to article, the steps should be in a logical order.
In a thesis paper, your strongest argument should be presented in the beginning of the paper., If an idea can be expressed in 1 word or sentence rather than 2, use the shorter option.
Look for repetition of ideas.
Remove repetition of thoughts, details and arguments.
If you have said it once, it does not need to be said again.
Correct repetitive sentence structure.
Avoid starting consecutive sentences and paragraphs with the same subject and verb.
Limit instances of ending consecutive sentences with the same word.
Revise word repetition within a sentence.
Replace words with alternative language to avoid repetition.
Use a thesaurus, if necessary, to find the most suitable words. , Read your work out loud to get a sense of its flow.
Insert transitional words and sentences to correct abrupt changes in thoughts and ideas., Determine if your conclusion is an effective ending for your piece.
In an essay, the conclusion should be a brief summary of your thesis and main points.
The conclusion of a blog post might be a call to action or a request for input from readers., High-quality writing reflects a person's own ideas, thoughts and conclusions.
Determine if the piece presents a fresh perspective on the topic at hand.
If what you have written is simply a regurgitation of existing material, examine your own thoughts, experiences and/or opinions to inject original ideas into the piece.
Review your written work for effectiveness.
Ensure that the piece meets your objective.
Your goal may be to persuade, inspire, entertain, educate or inform the reader.
Determine if your work is accomplishing its goal. , This step should be completed at the very end, after you have made all organizational and content changes.
Use a spellchecker to catch errors.
Comb the work for incorrect punctuation, spelling, grammar, syntax and spacing issues.
Print out the piece.
Errors are typically easier to spot on paper than on a computer screen. -
Step 2: Review your introduction.
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Step 3: Examine the structure of the work.
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Step 4: Clarify and remove repetitive language.
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Step 5: Create smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs.
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Step 6: Ensure that your conclusion is clear and purposeful.
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Step 7: Assess the value of the written piece.
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Step 8: Proofread your work.
Detailed Guide
Setting aside written work for a few hours, a day or several days will give you a fresh perspective. , An effective introduction is clear, easy to understand and an accurate indication of what the reader can expect from reading the rest of your piece.
Assess the clarity of your introduction.
Ensure that your main argument or point is stated clearly.
If you are using terminology that the reader may not understand, clarify its meaning and context at the beginning of your written piece. , A well-organized essay or article leads the reader through a clear line of thinking.
Decide whether your work is properly structured.
For example, in a how-to article, the steps should be in a logical order.
In a thesis paper, your strongest argument should be presented in the beginning of the paper., If an idea can be expressed in 1 word or sentence rather than 2, use the shorter option.
Look for repetition of ideas.
Remove repetition of thoughts, details and arguments.
If you have said it once, it does not need to be said again.
Correct repetitive sentence structure.
Avoid starting consecutive sentences and paragraphs with the same subject and verb.
Limit instances of ending consecutive sentences with the same word.
Revise word repetition within a sentence.
Replace words with alternative language to avoid repetition.
Use a thesaurus, if necessary, to find the most suitable words. , Read your work out loud to get a sense of its flow.
Insert transitional words and sentences to correct abrupt changes in thoughts and ideas., Determine if your conclusion is an effective ending for your piece.
In an essay, the conclusion should be a brief summary of your thesis and main points.
The conclusion of a blog post might be a call to action or a request for input from readers., High-quality writing reflects a person's own ideas, thoughts and conclusions.
Determine if the piece presents a fresh perspective on the topic at hand.
If what you have written is simply a regurgitation of existing material, examine your own thoughts, experiences and/or opinions to inject original ideas into the piece.
Review your written work for effectiveness.
Ensure that the piece meets your objective.
Your goal may be to persuade, inspire, entertain, educate or inform the reader.
Determine if your work is accomplishing its goal. , This step should be completed at the very end, after you have made all organizational and content changes.
Use a spellchecker to catch errors.
Comb the work for incorrect punctuation, spelling, grammar, syntax and spacing issues.
Print out the piece.
Errors are typically easier to spot on paper than on a computer screen.
About the Author
Patrick Powell
A seasoned expert in education and learning, Patrick Powell combines 5 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Patrick's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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