Stage Four: Step 4
Step 4: A plan for revision
Who should do this step? You
Take a moment to reflect and process. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Now return to all your notes from this session, and think about what you want to work on for Draft 2 of your essay.
Remember that Draft 2 is not the final draft. You are working on structure, organization, and content for Draft 2. You do not have to fix every word choice or take a fine-toothed comb through your comma placement at this stage.
Make a checklist of 3-4 specific, concrete things you will revise in Draft 2. For example: “provide context for paragraph 2” or “cut out unnecessary details in paragraphs 3 & 4” or “rework order to start with showing rather than telling”...etc. Help yourself out by being as clear as possible -- “more detail” is a vague task.
What I Will Revise for Draft 2
Step 4
Done!
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On to Draft 2!
Once you have a plan, take a breather -- sometime between one hour and overnight -- and then start Draft 2. You can use this template if you wish.
Keep your revision plan handy. That way, you can check off each of the items on your “What I Will Revise” list as you complete them.
Then copy-paste the text of your first draft into a new document and start revising!
Remember: the purpose of Draft 2 is to reshape draft 1 by focusing on structure, organization, and content, especially the balance between showing and telling.