Intro Global Para Feedback Sources Edit Works

Revision: From Draft to Final

Fix meaning first. Polish last.

Course Hub
Global → local
Reverse outline
Clearer analysis
I. Why revision matters (and where to start)

Revision isn’t “fixing what’s wrong.” It’s how you discover what you really want to say — and how you help a reader actually follow you there.

The order that saves you time:

  • Global: thesis, purpose, stakes, organization, and evidence
  • Paragraph: flow, focus, and analysis (what the evidence means)
  • Sentence: clarity, grammar, punctuation, formatting

If you jump straight to commas before you fix the argument, you’ll often end up polishing sentences you later delete. Tragic.

Choose your revision path:

Key Takeaway

Revision is a decision-making process. You’re choosing what to keep, what to move, what to cut, and what to strengthen — in that order.

Bridge to Chapter 9 (Topic → Thesis): Revision often sends you back to your thesis. If your draft feels unfocused, you may need to sharpen your working thesis or clarify what your reader should believe by the end. (See Chapter 9: Crafting Powerful Thesis Statements.)

II. Global revision: thesis, structure, and evidence

Global revision is about your argument’s shape. Before you edit anything, make sure your draft has a clear destination and a logical path.

Global checks (do these first):

  • Nutshell sentence: In one sentence, what are you really arguing?
  • Purpose + audience: What do you want your reader to understand, believe, or do?
  • Structure: Does each major section move the argument forward (not sideways)?
  • Evidence: Are your key claims supported with the right kind of sources/examples?

The Nutshell Exercise

Complete this sentence (and keep it honest):

Reverse outline (fast, powerful): Write a 5–10 word label next to each paragraph that names what it does (not what it mentions). When you’re done, read only the labels. Do they form a clear, logical argument — or a playlist on shuffle?

Mini example (global revision):
Draft thesis: Social media is harmful to teenagers.

Revised thesis: While social media can expand teens’ access to community and information, it also increases comparison pressure and distraction; schools can reduce that harm by teaching attention skills and digital literacy alongside content.

Key Takeaway

If your thesis or structure is shaky, paragraph-level “fixes” won’t hold. Global revision is the foundation.

III. Paragraph revision: flow, focus, and analysis

Paragraph revision is where your draft becomes readable. The goal is simple: each paragraph should have one clear job and help the reader see how it supports your thesis.

A strong academic paragraph usually does this:

  • Claim: a focused topic sentence that connects to your thesis
  • Evidence: a quote, statistic, example, or detail that matters
  • Analysis: your explanation of what the evidence shows and why it matters
  • Connection: a sentence that ties the paragraph back to your larger argument

Try the “So what?” ladder: After your evidence, ask “So what?” twice. The first answer is often summary. The second answer is often analysis.

Mini example (adding analysis):
Before: Many students procrastinate. A 2023 campus survey showed that most students start essays the night before they are due. This is common in college.

After: Many students procrastinate because they treat writing like a one-step task instead of a process. In a 2023 campus survey, most students reported starting essays the night before they were due. That pattern matters because it encourages last-minute drafting without time for global revision — which is why “grammar fixes” can’t rescue a draft that never had time to develop an argument.

Paragraph Check (quick)

Choose one paragraph from your draft and answer these in 2–3 sentences:

  • What is this paragraph’s main claim?
  • What evidence does it use?
  • What is my analysis (what I’m adding that the reader can’t get from the quote alone)?

Key Takeaway

Most “weak paragraphs” aren’t missing evidence — they’re missing explanation. Your reader needs to see your reasoning.

IV. Working with feedback (the essentials)

Feedback is easier when you treat it as data. Your job isn’t to “obey” comments — it’s to decide what will most improve clarity and argument.

Two kinds of readers:

  • Peers: smart, honest readers who show you how the draft lands
  • Instructor: an expert reader who also grades according to course goals

Priority rule: If two readers flag the same issue (confusing thesis, weak evidence, unclear paragraph), start there. Patterns beat one-off opinions.

Make a 10-minute revision plan

  1. List your top 3 repeated issues (from comments or your own check).
  2. For each issue, write one action you’ll take (move, cut, add, clarify).
  3. Choose one global action and one paragraph action to do first.

Key Takeaway

Good revision plans are small and specific: change X in paragraph Y because reader Z got confused about ______.

V. Source integration (quick check)

If you’re writing a source-based paper, revision includes checking how sources actually function inside your argument.

Ask three questions about every source moment:

  • Why is this here? (support, background, counterargument, example?)
  • What do I add? (analysis, interpretation, connection to thesis)
  • Is it integrated? (signal phrase + context + MLA citation)

Use your source log (Chapter 6): If you created a source log during research, review it now. Make sure you used the sources you logged — and that you’re using them the way you planned. (See Chapter 6: Finding and Evaluating Sources.)

Need help with paraphrase/quotes? Jump back to Chapter 7 (quoting, paraphrasing, signal phrases) and Chapter 8 (using sources in your argument).

Key Takeaway

Sources don’t “speak for themselves.” Your job is to make the meaning and the connection to your thesis unmistakable.

VI. Editing & final plan (short, high-impact)

Editing is the last pass. Do it after you’ve revised for meaning and structure.

Editing vs. proofreading (quick distinction):

  • Editing improves clarity and style (tighten, simplify, rephrase).
  • Proofreading catches surface errors (spelling, punctuation, formatting).
Mini examples (sentence-level):
1) Wordiness → clarity: Due to the fact that many students procrastinate, it is often the case that essays are rushed. → Many students procrastinate, so essays are rushed.

2) Run-on fix: The article is convincing, it uses strong evidence. → The article is convincing because it uses strong evidence.

3) Specific verbs: This shows that school is important. → This suggests that school policies can shape student outcomes.

Revision timeline (pick what fits your reality)

  • If you have 10+ days: Global revision → paragraph revision → workshop/feedback → source check → editing.
  • If you have 5–7 days: Reverse outline → rewrite thesis + intro/conclusion → revise 3 key paragraphs → editing.
  • If you have 2–3 days: Fix thesis + organization first → revise the weakest 2 sections → proofread for your common errors.
  • If you have 24 hours: Reverse outline + thesis check → revise one body section → read aloud once → proofread.

Key Takeaway

Small, targeted revision beats random “cleanup.” Pick the few moves that most improve understanding.

Closing thought: “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” — James A. Michener

Works Consulted (MLA model)

These entries are formatted as a model. In your own projects, your Works Cited should include only sources you actually use.

"Beginning Proofreading." Purdue OWL, Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/index.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Editing and Proofreading." The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Reading Aloud Demo." The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reading-aloud-demo/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Revising Drafts." The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Reverse Outline." The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reverse-outline/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Reverse Outlining." Purdue OWL, Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/reverse_outlining.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Steps for Revising Your Paper." Purdue OWL, Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

Weiss, Robert. "Rewriting Is the Key to Good Writing." Fast Company, 21 Feb. 2008, https://www.fastcompany.com/719253/rewriting-key-good-writing/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

"Crafting Powerful Thesis Statements." Scholar's Compass, https://scholarscompass.org/1010/chapter-9.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

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