posted by u/squishy_grizzly 13 hours ago

Discussion Advice

In what way do you use revision in your writing?

I’ve been meaning to use this summer to improve upon my writing abilities, since I’ve become
quite rusty after many years without taking GE’s. I’ve noticed that I have a tendency to write in the
same way I speak, which often results in me rambling on and on. As a result, when I have too
many ideas in my head, I often end up with a writing piece that’s twice the word limit.

I asked myself “How does a writer edit their writing for conciseness?”
I did a bit of research on this, and I ended up finding a lot of information on revision and how
different people use it in different ways.

I personally have a habit of dividing my writing into two stages: the bonding stage and the breakup
stage. The “bonding” stage is the name I use for the stage at which I like letting my mind go wild
with ideas and probabilities. I roll with them and grow attached to every word and every topic I've
covered. The “breakup” stage is the revision stage, meaning that I like taking an axe to the draft
and cutting it into bits in order to decide what stays in and what stays out for the optimal final
product. It’s tragic yet necessary.

So, how do you guys use revision in your writing? What is it to you?

Rainmann94 9 hours ago

I’m glad you’re taking an interest in improving your own writing! It sounds like you’re really taking steps
to do better, so I’m happy for you. :)

My own standing when it comes to revision isn’t quite so linear. I enjoy a good “breakup” with my writing
on any day, but I think revision is more than just cutting stuff out. I usually like to make a first draft,
leave it alone for a few hours, days, or even weeks before coming back to it with a fresh perspective. By
doing that, I can read through it and organize my thoughts to identify my main argument and my
strongest points. From there, I know what matters. I can delete whatever doesn’t fit that frame I’m trying
to place. Furthermore, I find revision to be vital to my creative process! Once I come back and identify all
the most important factors, I usually go down a rabbit hole of fresh new ideas that have me surging with
newfound energy and enthusiasm for my work. I elaborate upon a few bits and perhaps add a few new
strong points. This is now my second draft. I like repeating this pattern over and over until I’m satisfied.
Sometimes it takes 2 drafts, and sometimes it takes 10.

TL;DR: Revision is very useful to cut, yes, but it is also very useful in the process of identifying and
creating new ideas.
BlueMarshmallow 8 hours ago

Agreed. There are plenty of creative artists, old and new, that use revision as their holy grail in
writing and coming up with more complex and creative ideas. I personally choose to use revision as
a creative tool to improve upon prior drafts--an opportunity to reinvent my writing and pursue new
ideas. Following a linear, step-by step format to writing takes the life out of my writing. It restricts
my thoughts and dulls my work.

Revision is not dull, but people often have a misconstrued view of the word “revision”.
I’ve found among students that a lot of them interpret revision as a janitorial step in the writing
process. An additional, final step for their work to be labeled as “good enough”.
This view stems from the way in which they are taught in grade schools. Students are taught a
simplistic step-by-step, linear process for a few different academic writing genres.
Because of this, they learn to depend on these templates and they learn to fear academic writing
“rules”. This restricts their creativity and potential to write an independent piece of writing.
For instance, writing “I”s and inserting themselves in their writing is seen as a no-no, even though
it can serve to really strengthen one's argument in some cases.
Consequently, students believe that mixing objective, strictly professional writing with any
anecdotal perspectives or opinions is prohibited. In reality, these misconceived notions cause
uncertainty in their writing. It takes away the passion and perspective the writer has to offer, in

favor of cold, dry facts.

IceCreamBasker 6 hours ago

^^True.

I’d like to add that using metacognition is a sacred tool when it comes to identifying all the
strengths, weaknesses, and main arguments. Me and my students use this every day in every draft
we ever work on.

Metacognition is awareness of every action and thought taking part during the process of
brainstorming, writing, editing, etc. Being conscious of every tool you use and why you use it is
incredibly important in order to know what you can do better and in what way.

I know a lot of people who use metacognition when it comes to thinking about the best word
choice, structure, or rhetoric to use in order to fulfill a purpose and to appeal to a certain audience.
However, seldom do I see them using these tools unless prompted to. Metacognition is not just a
task they give you in Writing 101, it is a multifunctional tool through which you can have a better
understanding of your own writing goals and the steps you’ve taken to get there. You can step
back a bit, or you can go back to square one to start again. You can identify what is working best
and what isn’t, in order to cut stuff out like OP did. Or you can use this to emphasize your
strongest points.

I find metacognition to be an enlightening tool because people who use it seriously and for their
own merit (rather than to please me and get a passing grade) find themselves fixing their flaws
and experimenting with their writing more often to become better writers. They push boundaries
set within genres and they challenge notions that you’d see back in high school, such as the “5
paragraph essay” and the prohibition of “I”s.
RealMadMax64 5 hours ago

I’m not sure how you manage to limit yourself to only two drafts. I think you need multiple iterations of
drafts for your writing to reach its full potential. It for sure has helped me develop into a proper writer and
I think you should try it out sometime!
I’d at least suggest for you to go a bit out of your comfort zone and experiment with two very different
drafts, then make one last draft that’s a combination of the best attributes you can find within the first
two.
Disclaimer: I’m not 100% sure that’s what you do, but it certainly sounds like it by the way you define
that there are two stages you go through. Bravo to you I guess. LOL

FeatherintheWind 12 hours ago

I’m glad someone is asking this!

I’ve been studying revision recently, too. I find it particularly interesting that people have heard the word
“revision” more than ever before! A few decades ago, people were blind to the concept of “revision,” it
was practically unheard of. That has changed. Many young people, especially, have even interacted with
the word and used it in some formal environment, like school. Unfortunately, although many people are
now aware of the word, very few people know what it entails.

Students from the 80s and onwards tend to think of revision as more of a boring chore. It is often thought
of as measly changes in grammar and the addition of fancy words. Because of this, research shows that it
is best to teach revision as “an act of invention rather than editing.” People become better writers through
experience and experimentation. Pushing students to revise and make completely new versions of their
assignments through what we call “radical revision” creates an engaging, fun, and boundless process!

Since it is a relatively recent field of study, there is not much research to be found in the area. Luckily, I’m
quite resourceful when it comes to finding particular studies and smaller-scale projects on this specific
topic. If you have any questions, let me know. :)

squishy_grizzly 8 hours ago

Hi! I wanted to preface this by thanking you for sharing this bit of info about revision. I haven’t
looked into the history of revision or how it’s been perceived in the last few decades, so it was nice
to read about it!

Personally, I enjoy having a two-step, linear process in my writing. Having a creative stage
separate from my cutting stage makes the task a whole lot more manageable. As I said in my
initial post, I struggle with cutting back on my rambling. I write an excess amount of words and
info for every prompt, which often dilutes the very main argument I was trying to get across to my
audience. Thus, I find my two-step process to be convenient. At first, I can go crazy with my ideas,
and then I cut it back so that my readers don’t get lost in my words.

Using “radical revision” sounds intimidating. Firstly, it’d trap me in a never-ending loop of adding
and erasing new ideas. Secondly, it is not very convenient for my personal time schedule. I write
smaller prompts for fun as a way of challenging myself, and I am afraid that writing even more
ideas every time I “revise” will cause me to have way too many different drafts. It’s too
time-consuming. I get frustrated at the very thought of it.
 FeatherintheWind 12 hours ago

Hello :)

I understand that you find radical revision somewhat frustrating, since it entails writing a
whole new, re-envisioned version to address your prompt. It might be a bit more difficult
and time consuming, yes, but I think it would be a challenge worth accepting.

In your original post, you mentioned that you are practicing revision and writing in order to
become a stronger writer! There is no better way of improving upon your writing than
challenging yourself to experiment with new genres and writing styles. Breaking genre
boundaries and improving upon the ones already set in place.

I think you would benefit from giving radical revision a try. Just sit down and approach it
with an open mind. Although it may be more difficult from what you are used to, the end
product is so very worth it. If you think of radical revision as a stressful chore, it won’t do
much for you. You need to use it as a tool to try new things and identify your strengths and
weaknesses. Make sure to set time aside to make your writing experience a pleasurable,
relaxing one that you can look forward to.

That’s how good writers are made, and I think you have great potential. The fact alone that
you are trying to improve your writing already shows a lot of promise and capability!

squishy_grizzly 8 hours ago

Thank you for all the advice!
I am sorry I dismissed your first post. After reading this advice, I think I will give
radical revision a try. I will have to move things around in my work schedule, but I
will make it work.

I didn’t realize that my own perception and critique of radical revision may be
plagued by the misguided notion that revision (radical revision, in this case) is
always a chore to get through. I want to overcome it and become a better writer, so
I must confront these notions by experimenting with radical revision. Thank you for
the support!

alpha0mega 12 hours ago

Nobody cares and nobody asked so stfu.

What the Featherinthewind person is saying is not even true. Forcing students to engage in radical
revision by force is just as bad as teaching them lazy techniques such as the 5 paragraph essay. It
doesn’t work. Stop pushing your own methods on others.

SnakeinyourBoot 11 hours ago

Nobody asked you to be rude yet here we are.

FeatherintheWind is just sharing some insight into revision, which is what this whole thread
is about. If you don’t like it, scroll past and keep your comments to yourself. They are not
“forcing” anyone to try radical revision, so why do you feel the need to be this aggressive?

Plus, radical revision is one of the best tools one could provide to their students. It’s not
about strict rules and formats, but about teaching free thinking and recognition of one’s
weakest and strongest suits. It’s about expanding and improving upon one’s own writing.

I left some links to prove my case, since you clearly didn’t.

Reflective Writing and the Revision Process: What Were You Thinking?
Barriers to Revision
REVISITING RADICAL REVISION