Revising and Editing

Macro and Micro Revising

Macro Revising?

Micro revising?

Concentrate on what’s actually in your paper, not what you assume is there.

Create a thesis sentence (if you haven’t), or revise your working thesis statement (if you’ve developed one).

Reconsider how it is worded.

Reconsider how it is worded:

Is it stated exactly in concise yet detailed language?

• Is it focused on only one main idea?

Is it stated positively rather than negatively?

• Is it limited to a demonstrable statement?

Then consider how accurately your thesis now represents your main idea:

• Does each part of your essay directly relate to your thesis?
• Does each part of your essay develop and support your thesis?
• Does your essay deliver everything your thesis promises?

If you find unrelated or contradictory passages, you have several options: revise the thesis, revise the essay, or revise both.

If your idea has deepened, your topic become more complex, or your essay developed along new lines, refine or expand your thesis accordingly.

WORKING THESIS The Herald’s coverage of the Senate elections was more thorough than the Courier’s.

REVISED THESIS The Herald’s coverage of the Senate elections was less timely but more thorough and more impartial than the Courier’s.

WORKING THESIS As the roles of men and women have changed in our society, old-fashioned formal courtesy has declined.

REVISED THESIS As the roles of men and women have changed in our society, old-fashioned formal courtesy has declined not only toward women but also toward men.

Revising for Structure and Support

Your conclusion should return to the "scene" of your introduction.

One technique would be using a quote that you want your readers to stay with after they have finished your essay.

Revising for Audience

Body paragraphs should directly support the thesis.

Each of the body paragraphs should have a clear purpose and function.

End on a strong note. A strong conclusion is essential

Conclusion

Organization

• In a well-structured essay, each paragraph, sentence, and phrase serves a clear function.

• Are your opening and closing paragraphs relevant, concise, and interesting?

• Is everything in each paragraph on the same topic?

• Are all ideas adequately developed?

• Are the paragraphs arranged in the best possible order?

• Finally, do you lead readers from one idea to the next with clear and painless transitions?

Uses for Exemplification

• What works with one audience can fall flat with another.

• Your organization, selection of details, word choice, and tone all affect your particular readers.

• Visualize one of them poring over the essay, reacting to what you have written.

• What expressions do you see on that reader’s face? Where does he or she have trouble understanding? Where have you hit the mark?

Examples should convey specific information, not generalizations.

No single example is adequate.

Use of a range of examples but do not be overly detailed.

Effective examples. Avoid preaching to your reader.

Frequently used in nonacademic writing:

• Business Reports

• Memos

• Proposals (persuasive)

Persuasive Examples

Peer Editing Worksheet

• Does the writer use a sufficient range of examples? Are they explained in enough depth?

• Do the examples add interest? How persuasive are they?

• What transitional words and phrases does the writer use to introduce examples? What other transitional words and phrases should be added? Where?

Exemplification

• In what order are the examples presented? Would another order be more effective? Explain.

• Has the writer used a series of three or more examples in a single sentence? If so, are these examples separated by commas?

• What strategy does the writer use in the conclusion? What other strategy could be used?

Macro Revising <----> Micro Revising

Peer Editing Worksheet

• What strategy does the writer use in the essay's introduction? Would another strategy be more effective?

• What is the essay's thesis? Does it make a point that the rest of the essay will support with examples?

• What specific points do the body paragraphs make?

Explain

Clarify

Add Interest

Persuade

Revision Checklist

Re-viewing and Revising

Micro Revision

Macro revising refers to making large, global, or fundamental changes that affect the overall direction or impact of writing — its purpose, organization, or audience.

Revision means “seeing again” — discovering again, conceiving again, shaping again.

It may occur at any and all stages of the writing process, and most writers do a lot of it.

• Micro revising consist of paying attention to sentences, words, punctuation, and grammar — including ways to create emphasis and eliminate wordiness.

Revising for Purpose and Thesis

• When you revise for purpose, you make sure that your writing accomplishes what you want it to do.

• To revise for purpose, try to step back and see your writing as other readers will.

Chapter 23: Strategies For Revising And Editing