Revision and Editing Guidelines for Lab Day

Step #1:

Continue to make revisions to your draft using the feedback you think is most helpful.

Revisions include things like "focus" (overall essay and each paragraph), "organization" / "structure," and "development" / "support."

Revision also includes ADDING things to your draft, CUTTING things from your draft, REARRANGING things in your draft, and REWRITING things in your draft.

If you still have questions of your reviewers, ask them now.  If you have other questions, ask me.

Work through your draft using the questions below:

• Do you have a "catchy" and interesting title for your essau?  If not, consult this information sheet.
   

• How would you describe your "strategy" in your introductory paragraph?  Do you think it will be effective for your readers?  If not, perhaps start over or combine what you have now with another strategy.  Consult this information sheet.
   

• Do you have a clear "thesis statement" for your essay?  A thesis statement does two things: (1) it states the topic of the paper, and (2) it states your "position" or "point of view" about the topic of the paper.  So, if you consider the topic of your paper to be complaining, or direct/indirect commands, or sexism/sexist language, then what is your "position" or "point of view" about this topic?  Note: a thesis statement can be longer than one sentence.
   

• Does each body paragraph have a clear main idea stated in a topic sentence?  Does each topic sentence "focus" each paragraph (there is nothing in a paragraph that doesn't relate to the topic sentence)?
   

• Is each body paragraph well developed using specific examples (from the essays and/or from your own experiences) and clear explanations?  One long is example is good; one short example probably needs at least one other example.
   

• How would you describe your "strategy" in your conclusion paragraph?  Do you think it will be effective for your readers?  If not, perhaps start over or combine what you have now with another strategy.  Consult this information sheet.

Step #2:

Go through your draft for editing concerns -- problems with sentences and words.  First look for sentence clarity.  Then, look for Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices.  Ask me if you have any questions.

Step #3:

Bring two (2) copies of your revised draft on __________ for the next peer review session.