How to Write Great Essays

H
O W T O
R
E V I S E
The revision process can seem overwhelming. From the Latin 
revisere
, meaning to visit or
look at again, revising involves a general examination of your writing. You need to look at
your entire essay with fresh eyes and ears, checking to see if you have achieved your goal,
and if any sections of the essay need improving.
When followed in order, these four revision strategies will help you clean up your essay
and prepare it for editing and proofreading.
1.
Put down your essay, and do not look at it for at least one day before revising.
Masha Zager, a professional writer, says, “after I complete a first draft, I wait for
two or three days before looking at it again. If I try to revise it too soon, I miss all
kinds of errors. A couple of days away gives me a ‘fresh eye’ that’s almost as good
as having another person read my work.”
2.
Read it through once, imagining you are reading it for the first time. Editor Jen
Ballinger even suggests reading it aloud. She notes, “it’s amazing what you can
catch that didn’t ‘sound’ funny or awkward when you were reading it silently.”
High school senior Liz Abernathey waited a few weeks before rereading her rough
draft. “When I took it out again, I saw some things that could be changed that I
hadn’t seen before. Putting the essay away for a while, and returning to it with fresh
eyes, was very helpful. I recommend it to everyone who’s writing an essay.”
3.
Note your reactions to the essay, and answer the following:
■
Does the content of your essay address or match the topic? (see Chapter 6)
■
Will your essay help you stand out? Is it memorable and interesting?
■
Would any reader(s) understand everything you have written, or are some
points in need of clarification? (Chapter 2 deals with clarity)
■
Is the introduction a good “hook” that draws the reader into the essay, or
could it be eliminated? (see Chapter 6)
■
Does the first paragraph include a clear thesis statement and touch on the
major points of the essay?
■
Does your writing flow? Does it follow a logical progression, with each
paragraph and point made in the right place?
■
Are the points you make supported by examples and details, and are all of
the details necessary?
■
Does your writing strike the right balance between formality and informality?
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Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
CHAPTER 5