Writing typically happens in stages. During prewriting, research and planning build a foundation. Drafting gives shape to ideas, while editing corrects errors. Revision fine-tunes readability, connectedness, structure, and the effective expression of thoughts. Successful writers stick to each step of the process (Strunk & White, 2000). Nonetheless, as Feltham and Sharen (2015) suggest, students often overlook revision, believing their first drafts are complete, only to lose points when their work needs refinement. Alternatively, taking time to review a draft with intention can significantly improve its clarity and quality. As Tanner (1922) notes, “Good compositions are not merely written, they are rewritten (p. 86). In other words, revising polishes essays to make them truly shine. Student writers can perfect their drafts by following the ten guidelines for revision below and applying the accompanying questions as a guide.

1. Double-check assignment expectations.

When completing academic writing, read any assignment instructions more than once, as they define the task’s parameters. At each point, consider the questions below, consult the course materials if necessary, and revise to adhere to each requirement.

• Do I understand the concepts and questions I should address?
• Did I fully answer every question in the assignment instructions?
• How well does my finished work reflect the rubric’s specifications?
• Have I fulfilled the assignment expectations for content, format, and length?

2. Revisit general organization.

Next, examine the message’s overall structure. Identify opportunities for change, beginning with the general organization questions below, before moving on to other parts of the whole.

• Did I organize my message with a beginning (introduction), middle (body paragraphs), and end (conclusion)?
• Is every paragraph fully developed, with an appropriate number of sentences (typically five to seven)?

3. Perfect the introduction.

First impressions matter. An opening paragraph invites readers into a topic, sets the context, and lets readers know what to expect. To best amend an introduction, ask yourself the questions that follow.

• Did I introduce my topic and provide adequate, yet brief, background information about it, including defining important terms and stating the basic facts of any case studies or scenarios?
• Is my thesis or purpose for writing established clearly, in a single sentence?
• Does my thesis make a claim about the topic rather than simply announcing it?

4. Alter body paragraphs.

Beyond the introduction, body paragraphs should divide the main topic into chunks. Pay attention to the following questions as you revise.

• Is each paragraph working to support my thesis, or purpose for writing, by focusing on one clear idea at a time?
• Do my paragraphs contain topic sentences, facts, specific details, and examples, along with content explaining their relevance to my main point?
• Have I removed information that does not connect to my thesis?

5. Tweak the conclusion.

More than an afterthought, a well-crafted closing paragraph ties a piece together and leaves a lasting impression. Reflect on these questions to compose a purposeful ending.

• Have I concluded by reasserting why my topic matters and restating my thesis in another way?
• Does my conclusion summarize my ideas without adding information?
• What final thought about the topic, or a look toward the future, might I share?

6. Evaluate the evidence.

No academic essay is complete without incorporating outside research to lend authority to a writer’s ideas. Effectively use sources by contemplating several questions as you update your work.

•  Did I support my claims with evidence from credible sources?
•  Is the borrowed content in my paper properly cited and referenced?
•  Does my paper primarily consist of my own writing, with sources comprising 20 percent or less, and did I frame evidence in paragraphs between my own assertions and commentary (Clements, n.d.)?
• Have I kept direct quotes to a minimum?
• How well did I understand the sources I consulted, and do my paraphrases accurately reflect the information in the source?
• Does the borrowed information I included relate to my points?

7. Step away.

Throughout the revision process, stepping away from the task and engaging in another activity can help clear the mind.. As Purdue Global (n.d.) points out, taking a 30-minute or even 24-hour break helps a writer approach a draft with a renewed perspective.

6. Check your tone and style.

A fresh mind allows a writer to evaluate how they come across to others. As you refine your tone and style, try reading your work from your intended audience’s perspective and implementing the questions below.

• Is my tone appropriate for my audience and sufficiently formal for an academic context?
• As Strunk and White (2000) describe, did I position myself “in the background” of the writing by composing in third-person voice, without first or second-person pronouns (p. 70)? 
• Have I used the correct words to convey my desired tone?
• How well have I considered my reader, and how could I better guide them through my topic?
• Does my sentence structure vary enough to achieve an engaging rhythm?

9. Clarify meaning and rephrase for conciseness.

Communicating meaning succinctly and clearly often requires rewording. To unclutter and clarify your language, again put yourself in the place of a reader as you think about the following questions. 

• Where can I alter my language to be more precise?
• Have I removed unnecessary or repetitive words?
• What might I change to better communicate meaning to my audience?
• Are my sentences simple, direct, and to the point?

10. Smooth out the flow.

If words, ideas, sentences, and paragraphs complement each other and connect at every level, readers experience flow. When striving to engage an audience this way, ask the following questions to aid in revision.

• Does my opening sentence engage my reader and clearly relate to my topic?
• Have I introduced direct quotes or paraphrases using signal phrases?
• How might I better connect each sentence to the next?
• Are there transitional phrases between each of my paragraphs? See the American Psychological Association’s (n.d.) Transitions Guide for useful examples.

Finally, though adding finishing touches to a composition is often an exercise in patience, discipline, and persistence, the effort is worthwhile. First drafts are not unlike gemstones in their initial form. They must undergo shaping to refine rough edges and reveal their true luster. Writers who commit to the process of rethinking, restructuring, and rewording their thoughts will enjoy the satisfaction of polishing a piece to achieve its best potential. Students can follow the ten revision guidelines above, in any order, to take their drafts to the next level.

References

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Transitions guide. https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/style-transitions-guide.pdf

Clements, K. (n.d.). Working with sources: The 80/20 principle. Purdue University Global Academic Success and Writing Resource Center & Blog. https://purdueglobalwriting.center/80-20-principle/

Feltham, M., & Sharen, C. (2015). “What do you mean I wrote a C paper?” Writing, revision, and self-regulation. Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, 8(1), 11-138. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1069881.pdf

Purdue Global. (n.d.). Editing and revising. https://purdueglobalwriting.center/editing-and-revising/

Strunk, W., Jr., & White, E. B. (2000). The elements of style (4th ed.). LongmanTanner, W. M. (1922). Composition and rhetoric. Ginn & Company