12.4 Revision

Strategies for working on revision:

Deciding what to work on
1. Re-read the assignment sheet
2. Assess your essay for:

genre: does the essay make a point appropriate to literary studies?  does the essay's focus meet the "so-what" test?  is the essay organized in general patterns associated with academic essays (intro-body-conclusion; they say=> I say) ?  is the language appropriate to academic style?

focus: does the essay set up its focus (clearly) near the beginning of the essay?  Does each paragraph connect to that focus in a different way?  Are there statement in each paragraph that state the connection to the focus?  At the essay's ending, does the conclusion re-state the focus in light of evidence presented in the body paragraphs?

organization: Is the focus set up at the beginning? does the essay provide adequate contextual/background information BEFORE it evaluates/assesses/builds/makes a point about that material?  do the points unfold in a logical order?  is there one well developed point (related to the focus) per paragraph?  are there transitions?

development: do the body paragraphs present specific, relevant quotes/paraphrases from the text?  are quotes presented using the "sandwich" method?  are quotes and references to "facts" cited appropriately?

language choices/sentence structure/style: repetitions?  fuzzy (unclear) meanings caused by overly general statements (watch of the use of pronouns or placeholder language used to stand for ideas, conclusions, inferences etc. e.g. Many characters in Othello this cause problems. ) I

3. Read the comments


How to work on:
focus
to clarify/strengthen the focus=list points in order make sure all connect to focus;read the first paragraph (thesis) and pay attention to how the rest of the essay connects to the focus set up there; read the body + conclusion and pay attention to what these paragraphs focus on & make sure that is set up in the intro
to deepen-broaden the focus = do some brainstorming/freewriting/associating/listing to deepen-broadent the focus

organization
check the points set up in the intro=> then check to see that points in the essay follow that orer
decide on an overall strategy for the organization then check to make sure the essay stays consistent with that strategy
make a reverse outline
make a list of "the best" order for your points

for internal organization of paragraphs = make sure each paragrah follows the par before it and that it connects to the focus, provides support/evidence/development and transitions to the next paragraph.

development
gather more evidence
go back to the text + develop some more analysis of the text
do more brainstorming


Where to post revision plans
Post your plan for revision on the "polished essay" page for the unit you are working on,  For example, if you are revising your short story draft, post your homework plan for revising that essay and the revised plan you worked on in class today, to the polished essay/short story page.

For next class, Dec 8: 
Post your revised essay (either poetry or short story)

Drama essays returned
Discussion of revision for Othello essay
Presentation on Reflective essay assignment