Revision+Tips

REVISION J   **   Rhetorical Knowledge   ** Does your paper have a clear purpose/stand on the topic? **  Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing   ** Do you refer to ideas from the text? Are you reflecting on the topic and supporting your argument? **  Composing Processes   ** Did you proofread to catch grammatical and spelling error? Do you have structure within your essay (developed paragraphs and sentences). **  Knowledge of Conventions   ** When referring to the text are you using the right format? If taking direct quotes are you citing? Do you have a Works Cited page with sources listed correctly? ** __ Common Patterns to work on:  __ ** 1. Introduction needs to grab reader. Will the readers find your subject/thesis easily? “A thesis is a statement of your central idea. The thesis expresses not just your opinion but also you informed, reasoned judgment.” (// Pocket Manual // 104). A thesis statement “takes a stand on a debatable issue—an issue about which intelligent, well-meaning people might disagree. Each writer’s job will be to convince such people that his or her view is worth taking seriously.” (// Pocket Manual //105). Sometimes it is easier to write your introduction after you have written the body of the text. 2. Conclusion needs to be strong. Say something different from your introduction-- but still stay consistent with the ideas/points you made throughout the body of the text. If you find that you are introducing new ideas, ask yourself if the idea is important enough to add to the body of the text. If it is do so, if it is not then take it out of your conclusion. “Do not use transitional expressions merely because these devices connect ideas” (i.e.“In conclusion,” “Finally,” or “To sum up”). 3. Citations. Use quotations around the words taken from your sources. Introduce the quote and synthesize/expand upon in your own words. If you use a quote, you need to synthesize quote into your own words and explain how it defends or opposes your argument. You must have the author’s name either in the introduction of the quote or in parenthesis at the end of the quote, along with the page number. 4. Language. PROOFREAD carefully!! Re-read your text to make sure you are not repeating yourself. Pay attention to the language used in transitioning between paragraphs and ideas. Are there abrupt shifts or gaps? Do not restate the same thing, but instead expand on your original thought and make it different and interesting. Avoid words such as “like” and “totally.” 5. Stay focused. Your analysis needs to have a clearly stated main idea/thesis. This main idea should be in the 1st or 2nd paragraph and the rest of your paper should include points that add support to your main idea. All the body paragraphs should relate to your main idea/thesis. Are links between concepts and ideas clear? If you find yourself going off on a different topic, question whether or not this topic is vital to your argument. Format (** Knowledge of Conventions **) Italicize=Underline. When handwriting a paper you use underlining, when typing you italicize. Examples of material that should be Italicized (or Underlined): -Films -Books -Name of Web Site -Play -Name of Periodical, Magazine or Journal -Name of Music Album -Name of Radio or TV program -Title of Blog Quotations Examples of material and/or information that should be in quotations: -Short Story -Excerpt from a book (i.e. Chapter) -Poem Title -Name of Article or other short works -Cartoon Title -Song title Make sure you “start and end quotes.” (Punctuation goes INSIDE quotations). When quoting an author, either introduce quote with his/her name or include in parenthesis after the quote. (Period after parenthesis). Avoid shift in tense (// Pocket Manual // 117). (i.e. Present to Past tense) “I went to the store. I get some dinner.” Subject—Verb Agreement Singular vs. plural Form ** || **  Possessive Form ** || **  Object Form ** || who  ||   his whose  ||   him whom  || who  ||   their whose  ||   them whom   || Their, there, they’re Then, than For people who wrote LESS than 3 full pages: Examine what you wrote. What ideas do you mention but do not fully explain? Can you provide any examples or outside information to support your argument? For people who wrote 3 full pages or more: Examine what you wrote. Any ideas that need to be clarified or revised to strengthen your argument or stand on the topic? For EVERYONE: PROOFREAD
 *    || **  Subject
 * ** Singular  ** ||   he
 * ** Plural  ** ||   they