The Art of Revision

In the writing process, revision is one of the most critical steps of academic writing. When you revise, you find and correct problems with content; in other words, you change the ideas in your writing to make them clearer, stronger and more coherent.

Revision is an art and a craft. Listed below are four questions to ask during the revision stage of the writing process to help you strengthen your academic documents.

1. What needs to be ADDED?

· What needs to be added to clarify ideas for the reader and ensure that the purpose of the document is achieved?

2. What needs to be REMOVED?

· Where is information repeated unnecessarily or unintentionally?

3. What needs to be MOVED?

· What information needs to be shifted and/or rearranged to improve the flow and organization of ideas for maximum understanding?

4. What needs to be SUBSTITUTED?

· What words and information need to be replaced to ensure a clear expression of ideas?

As you develop as a scholar, commit to mastering the art and craft of revision.

Until next week, Happy Writing!!!

Dr. V
 Writing Coach-Editor-Speaker
 Author of I'm Not a Writer...I am Just in Graduate School
 (order your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Not-Writer-Just-Graduate-School/dp/1533392919)

Available in hard copy and on Kindle