Seven Steps for Excellent Revision

1. Print out a hard copy.
   Although you may revise on a computer screen, printing out a hard copy will allow you to access your entire paper as you edit page by page. It will also make it portable if you do not have a laptop. You can bring your hard copy with you and revise it wherever you may be.


2. Mark any sentences or paragraphs you want to change by deleting or adding information.
   This is an important step, so do not be afraid to change entire paragraphs and sentences if they do not make sense or if they throw off the overall clarity of your essay. Use a highlighter or colored pen to clearly mark areas that you want to change. Also, mark any spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors that you see, using a different colored pen or marker.


3. Jot notes in margins or on a separate piece of paper where helpful.
   If you have a thought or idea for a change, be sure to write it down right away! If you do not you will surely forget what it was that you wanted to add when you start rewriting. You can use separate paper for this, being sure to identify which paragraph needs the change.


4. Rewrite.
   Get on your computer and begin incorporating all the changes you need to make and have decided to make.


5. Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors again and correct.
   Make the corrections you have found, and then use the spell check feature of your word processing program to double check your spelling.


6. Let it rest, and then do it again.
   Okay, so you have gone through the above steps and you think your essay is just perfect. If you are like any other writer, you are wrong. Your essay will still have problems. So, let it rest for a day or two and start from step one and revise again. Read through your first revision for errors that you might have missed or those that may have been created when you added new writing. You may have to repeat the revision steps four or more times before you reach the final draft stage, (the average is three), but it is well worth the effort. You will be rewarded with the best possible essay you are capable of writing.


7. Have someone else read your essay.
   Lastly, when you have reached the point where you are sure you can find no errors or room for major change, ask a trusted friend, colleague, or fellow student to read through your essay. Ask them to look only for errors in sentence structure, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. State specifically that you do not want their opinion of the overall subject or your writing at this point, (they can give you their thoughts later if they want). Don't be alarmed when they find things you missed. His or her eyes are fresh, and that is a good thing, because this person will help your paper be the best it can be. Say thank you and fix whatever problems he or she has found. Be grateful that you have someone willing to help you become a great essay writer.