Encouraging Revision

Writers know that most "formal" texts are the product of methodical drafting and revision.  Although there are instances in every profession where text must be "pushed out" quickly, and there are also instances where authors write principally for themselves, complex thought requires a careful writing process, providing time and space for the author to draft and redraft, getting feedback from trusted readers and always working to move the completed text closer to the writer's goal.

In WAC, faculty from across the disciplines acknowledge the importance of revision, structuring it into their courses in several ways:

·        by building into the course structure internal deadlines for various drafts;

·        by emphasizing the importance of revision for organization, structure, and logic (all Higher Order Concerns)  in earlier drafts, while working on sentence-level editing issues (Lower Order Concerns) in later drafts;

·        by providing time and space within the course structure for readers' feedback on the evolving draft;

·        by responding in thoughtful ways to students' drafts-in-progress during conferences and by training students in the class to do likewise in peer review groups;

·        by encouraging  student writers to make use of additional feedback opportunities from Writing Studio tutors and other "trusted readers."

 

 

 

 

This page was developed by Benjamin Hogan, WAC Graduate Assistant, 2006-2007.

Last Modified: February 16, 2007