Revising the Draft Based on Desirable Qualities of Well-Written Creative

Nonfiction

Most of us who compose on a computer understand revision as an on-going, even

constant process. Every time you hit the delete button, every time you cut and paste,
every time you take out a comma or exchange one word for another, you're revising. But
real revision is more than making a few changes here and there. Real revision requires
that you open yourself up to the possibility that parts of your paper - and even your
entire paper - might need to be re-thought, and re-written.

What is more important than grades is that revising your papers teaches you to be a
better writer. Studies have shown again and again that the best way to learn to write is
to rewrite. In the revision process, you improve your reading skills and your analytical
skills. You learn to challenge your own ideas, thus deepening and strengthening your
argument. You learn to find the weaknesses in your writing. You may even discover
patterns of error or habits of organization that are undermining your papers. Though
revising takes time and energy, it also helps you to become a more efficient writer down
the road. If, for example, you have discovered through the revision process that you tend
to bury your topic sentences in the middle of your paragraphs, you can take this
discovery with you as you draft your next paper. You are less likely to make that
particular mistake again.

Recapitulation:
In the previous lesson, you have learned about the guidelines and steps in writing
creative nonfiction. In this way, you are guided with the techniques in making an
effective draft. In this section, you’ll enhance your skills in writing as you’ll learn about
revising tips and steps.
Discussion:

Revising means getting the content right. Revision literally means to “ see again,” to look
at something from a fresh, critical perspective. It is an ongoing process of rethinking the
paper; reconsidering your arguments, reviewing your evidences, refining your goals,
reorganizing your presentation, and writing the final draft. It is important for it gives
you a chance a writer to look critically at what you have written in order to see: if it’s
really worth saying, if it says what you wanted to say, and if a reader will understand
what you’re saying.
How to Revise:
1. Put your draft aside. Time away from your essay will allow for more objective self-
evaluation.
2. Get feedback. Since you already know what you're trying to say, you aren't always
the best judge of where the draft is clear or unclear. Let another reader tell you. Then
discuss aloud what you were trying to achieve. In articulating for someone else what
you meant to argue, you will clarify ideas for yourself.
3. Construct a backward-outline of your essay. Identify the main idea(s) in each
paragraph. Rank their importance in advancing your thesis. Consider connections
between and among ideas.
4. Rethink your thesis. Based on what you did in the previous step, restructure your
argument: reorder your points, cut irrelevancies or redundancies, add complications
and implications. You may want to return to the text for additional evidence.
5. Now that you know what you're really arguing, work on the introduction and
conclusion. Make sure to begin your paragraphs with topic sentences, linking idea(s) in
each paragraph to those proposed in the thesis.
6. Proofread. Aim for precision and economy in language. Read aloud so you can hear
stylistic infelicities. (Your ear will pick up what your eye has missed.)

The following are questions that can help you evaluate your own writing and make it
ready for revisions and final writing.

• Ideas/Content
1. Does the paper achieve its purpose?
2. Is the opening statement interesting?
3. Is the thesis statement clear?
4. Does each paragraph have one focus or main idea?
5. Do the supporting details support the main idea?
6. Are the supporting details sufficient?
7. Does the concluding paragraph restate the main ideas?
8. Does the essay end with impact?
9. Does the paper provide sufficient examples and description?
• Organization
1. Does the paper use an appropriate organizational pattern and structure?
2. Does the paper use effective cohesive devices?
3. Is the paper free from out-of-place ideas?
4. Are the ideas clustered logically?
5. Are the ideas sequenced properly?
• Style
1. Is the word choice appropriate?
2. Does the paper showcase the writer’s voice?
3. Does the paper use different sentence structures?
4. Does the paper use an appropriate tone and level of formality?
5. Does the paper use an effective language style?

Generalization:
Revising means getting the content right. It is important for it gives you a chance a
writer to look critically at what you have written in order to see: if it’s really worth saying,
if it says what you wanted to say, and if a reader will understand what you’re saying.
The steps in revising include putting your draft aside, getting feedback, constructing a
backward-outline of your essay, identifying the main idea in each paragraph, working
on the introduction and conclusion, and proofreading.