Ratiocination A Systematic Approach to Revision

RatiocinationA Systematic Approach to Revision- a logical step-by-step process to color-code, analyze, evaluate, and rework yourwriting1) Revising Your Overall Structurea) Check to see if your organization makes sense.i) Narration – chronologicalii) Description – spatial(1) side to side(2) top to bottom(3) front to backiii) Persuasion – most important to least importantb) Make sure your introduction grabs the reader’s interest and that yourconclusion leaves a lasting impressioni) BAM!(1) question(2) profound statement(3) quoteii) leave them thinkingc) Determine whether you have provided enough support for your main idea.i) Strategy(1) color-coding for main point(a) red pencil – underline the sentence or sentences that conveythe main idea(b) blue pencil – underline the support for main idea(i) details1. facts(ii) examples(iii) incidents(2) not enough blue?(a) Add more facts, details, examples(b) Consider whether all the passages are necessary

2) Revising You Paragraphsa) Check to see that each paragraph focuses on a single aspect of the mainidea.b) Eliminate any sentences that are not clearly related.c) Look for places where transitions can help connect ideas.d) Strategyi) Steps – narration/direction/process(1) transitions to make sequence clear(a) first(b) then(c) finallyii) Stacks – persuasion(1) transitions(a) in addition(b) as well as(c) most importantiii) Chains – cause and effect(1) transitions to clarify relationship(a) consequently(b) as a resultiv) Balances – contrast/choice(1) transitions(a) similarly(b) however(c) although(d) rather3) Revising Your Sentencesa) Check for varied length and structure.i) Compoundii) Complexiii) Simpleb) Strategyi) Colored Pen(1) bracket the first three words of each sentence(2) focus only on bracketed words(3) rework any repetitious phrases for variety

4) Revising Your Word Choicea) Replace vague or general words with vivid, precise onesb) Check for overuse of certain wordsi) Strategy(1) Highlighter(a) Use a highlighter to mark any word you have used more thanonce(b) Use a thesaurus to choose different words5) Peer Revisiona) Read writer’s paper out loud.i) Read as written(1) pause at commas(2) stop at periods(3) intone on questionsii) Listen to your partner read your paper.b) Questions for Evaluationi) Is the writing interesting? Does it keep your attention?ii) Can you identify the main idea or theme?iii) Are there enough details to support the main idea?iv) Is it organized in the correct way?v) Is all the information relevant to the main idea?c) Strategiesi) Remember to comment on what is good!ii) Focus on the content, organization and style.(1) leave the mechanics and grammar for lateriii) Make suggestions on how writer can improve the writing.6) Focus on Proofreadinga) Find and eliminate errors in spelling, grammar, usage and mechanicsb) Scrutinize spellingi) Use a dictionary if unsurec) Correct capitalization and punctuation.d) Eliminate run-on sentences and fragments.