Friday, July 13, 2012

Weekly Writing Tip: Revise Globally First

Before getting too focused on the details of your writing - punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, etc. - read through your paper and make sure you have said what you want to say, that your message is clear.

Identify your thesis. Is it clear and strongly stated?

Find your main points. Does each one support the claim you made in your thesis?

What about the supporting details for your main points? Do they stay on topic? Have you shown the reader how the details connect to your main point and also how they connect your main point to the thesis? Tell the reader directly. Assume he or she will not see the connections unless you spell them out.

Finally, review your conclusion. Does it summarize or tie together your paper without directly repeating or adding supporting information? Find a way to reveal how all of the main points support the thesis. Leave the reader feeling like, "Yes! What you claimed is true!"

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