Revision (writing)

Revision is a process in writing that may involve rearranging paragraphs, sentences, and words. Writers may revise their writing after a draft is complete or during the composing process. Revising may involve adding, removing, or editing content in a piece. Revision is closely related to editing. Many writers may go through multiple rounds of revisions before reaching a final draft.[1]

In their book, The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White acknowledge the need for revision in the writing process: “Few writers are so expert that they can produce what they are after on the first try. Quite often you will discover, on examining the completed work, that there are serious flaws in the arrangement of the material, calling for transpositions... do not be afraid to experiment with your text.”

In an essay, revision may involve the identification of a thesis, a reconsideration of structure or organization, working at uncovering weaknesses, or clarifying unclear positions

In general, revision of written work can be guided by questions such as:

  • Is the writing clear? Does it make sense?
  • Is there enough information to describe ideas?
  • Is there too much information so that the writing wanders off topic?
  • Are the ideas or the narrative flow in a logical order?[2]

Successful revision is not improving grammar or diction. Instead, those will be the focus of later editing. However, there are instances when the writer or the author employs a strategy that involves a reviewing process. There are scholarship and theories citing this particular theme such as the case of the three-component model identified by Hayes and Flower[3] and the James Britton's model of the writing process as a series of stages described in metaphors of linear growth, conception - incubation - production.[4] Here, a review by the writer or a third party, which often entails corrective annotations, is part of the process that leads to the revision stage. Recently, due to the collaborative capabilities offered by the Internet, there are writers who "crowdsource" reviews from several people, who contribute digital annotations.[3]

References
  1. Allal, Linda; Chanquoy, L.; Largy, Pierre (2004). Revision Cognitive and Instructional Processes: Cognitive and Instructional Processes. New York: Springer Science and Business Media LLC. p. 190. ISBN 9789401037761.
  2. Atlee, Nancy (1998). Beginning Writing Lab. San Luis, CA: Prufrock Press Inc. p. 44. ISBN 1883055296.
  3. Rijlaarsdam; Bergh, Huub; Couzijn, Michel (2007). Effective Learning and Teaching of Writing: A Handbook of Writing in Education. New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers. p. 105. ISBN 978-1402027246.
  4. Perl, Sondra (1994). Landmark Essays on Writing Process. Davis, CA: Hermagoras Press. p. 75. ISBN 1880393131.
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