Overview
The essay began with an idea, which expanded into a thesis statement, a draft outline, a draft introduction, and paragraphs on a page. By this time, writers have some idea of where the essay is going, and it’s time to start revising.
Where to Start
It is possible to read over the draft and dislike everything on the page. Do not scream and hit the delete button on the computer keyboard. The first draft is often called a “rough” draft for a reason. It is a rough idea, a sketch. It may look like a camel when it’s supposed to be a cheetah, but it’s not the finished product yet. Take a deep breath, a break, and then come back to it.
Find Three Good Points
On the second reading, find at least three points that you made that you like. Remember that camels and cheetahs are both four-legged mammals. Maybe you’ve refined the thesis statement so it says exactly what you want to present. Maybe you’ve developed a lovely description or illustration, or written a strong comparison and contrast argument. Those can stay in the second draft. If you write on the computer, you can copy and paste those phrases and sentences into another document.
Find Things to Change
Read the essay aloud, because sometimes it is easier to hear things that need to be changed than to see them on the page. Perhaps one of the main ideas needs more development, or another paragraph rambles on without direction. If that’s the problem, it may help to underline the main points and write another outline after writing the first draft. When writing on the computer, it’s always possible to change the font color for each main topic and color code that topic. Check to see how much detail supports that topic. If there’s not enough, add sentences to develop it, adding description, interesting detail, or more examples. After that portion of the draft is finished, highlight the area and change the font color. If color is not your thing, change the type style for each topic, and then highlight the entire document to change to a single font after the draft is finished. If you write by hand, underline each point and label it with a different letter or number. When you write additional sentences to flesh out a topic, use that label to organize your thoughts rather than squeezing them into a small, unreadable space.
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