Revision is the third step in the writing process and may be the most important piece of the process. \u00a0I like to think about revision as the opportunity to make changes in the the way the paper sounds if read aloud. \u00a0(Proofreading, step 4, will be about making changes in the way the paper looks.) \u00a0Revision isn’t about correcting, but about clarifying, what has already been written,and \u00a0it is an ongoing process. \u00a0Students must be taught revision strategies and should be given time in class \u00a0to revise.<\/p>\n
Teachers need to establish a purpose for revising and \u00a0give students feedback and guidance for better revision (Robinson 1985 and Sommers 1982). \u00a0As long as students feel revising is meaningless, they will continue to take it lightly and papers will reflect the lack of effort. \u00a0Revision involves word selection, rearrangement, adding and deleting parts, as well as varying sentence structure and type. It can be accomplished by using partners, triads, groups, or by working alone.<\/p>\n
I suggest giving students the opportunity to write two ot three different papers in a genre before attempting to revise. \u00a0 Have the students choose their favorite of the pieces and then start the revision. I really believe it is more helpful to revise one piece of writing over several weeks, a bit at a time, than to write many rough drafts with little or no specific<\/span> revision. \u00a0Always model through a mini-lesson what you would like them to do. \u00a0If you want students to improve their introductions, read several exemplary ones to them or write one together. \u00a0Have them look in their library books for techniques great authors use.<\/p>\n Equip students with necessary tools as they begin their revising. \u00a0They need a thesaurus, a dictionary, highlighters, the rough draft\/sloppy copy, revision checklists, \u00a0their rubric , pens and pencils and specific instructions as they begin.<\/p>\n My next entry will include specific tips that should be useful for you and your students as you devote the needed time to revision.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Revision is the third step in the writing process and may be the most important piece of the process. \u00a0I like to think about revision as the opportunity to make changes in the the way the paper sounds if read … Continue reading