This week, you learned about the revision process. Now, it’s time to apply it to the rough draft that you wrote during weeks 2-4. Please use the same document you submitted previously. If you cannot

This week, you learned about the revision process. Now, it’s time to apply it to the rough draft that you wrote during weeks 2-4.  Please use the same document you submitted previously. If you cannot find it, go back to a prior assignment and download the document(this link opens in a new window/tab) . If you would like to start from a blank document, this is the article template.(this link opens in a new window/tab)   

Assignment Instructions

Use the revision checklist below to guide you: 

Evaluate your thesis statement. Ask yourself:

• Is it clear what I am focusing on in my paper?
• Are my three main ideas clearly stated in the thesis statement?

Evaluate your details and arguments. Ask yourself:

• Do the details I included support my purpose?
• Are my details sufficient to prove my point, or do I need to add some more?
• Did I include strong, research-based details to support my writing?
• Can my audience really “see” what I am saying, or do I need to include more vivid details?
• Do I have any details that need to be eliminated or replaced?

Evaluate your structure and organization. Ask yourself:

• Did I begin my writing with a strong introduction that includes a hook, background information and thesis statement?
• Does each paragraph only focus on one main idea?
• Does each body paragraph start with a transition and a topic sentence?
• Did I use transitions throughout the body paragraphs to connect my details in a coherent and logical manner?
• Did I end each paragraph with a concluding sentence?
• Did I conclude my essay with a strong conclusion that restates the thesis using different words, summarizes the main points and ends with a concluding thought, piece of advice or call to action?

Evaluate your individual sentences. Ask yourself:

• Do I have any sentences that are confusing and need to be reworded?
• Did I use an active voice in my sentences where the subject performs the action so that my essay sounds formal? For example, “The medical assistant reviewed the patients’ files” instead of “The patient’s files were reviewed by the medical assistant.”
• Did I use a third-person point of view that uses pronouns like he, she, they, them rather than first-person point of view that uses pronouns like I, me, my, we and us?
• Did I eliminate any unnecessary words?
• Did I clearly explain my idea in enough detail so that my audience can fully understand what I am trying to say?

Evaluate your tone and word choice. Ask yourself:

• Did I maintain a professional tone throughout my writing?
• Do I need to replace slang with more formal word choices?
• Are my word choices suitable for my target audience?
• Did I eliminate contractions in my writing?
• Did I use a thesaurus and dictionary to replace overused and vague words?

Evaluate your citations. Ask yourself:

• Did I use paraphrasing where possible?
• Did I use quotation marks to signal information that was taken directly from a source?
• Did I properly cite my sources using both in-text citations throughout my writing and a reference list at the end of my writing?

Read your source aloud or have someone else read it to you.

• Does my writing sound professional?
• Is my writing clear and focused?
• Does my writing progress in a smooth and logical manner?
• Are there any areas I still need to polish?

Assignment Expectations

Step 1: Revise your paper 

• Use the revision checklist above to review your draft.
• Make at least 5 significant revisions to improve the overall quality of your paper. Note: These must be revisions not proofreading changes or edits.
• Highlight or change the text color of your revisions.

Step 2: Preparing and formatting your paper for submission 

Make sure that you have: 

• formatted the cover page of the template. You should have completed this during week 4.
• omitted all parts of the template that require deletion. You should have completed this during week 4.
• Formatted your reference page using APA citations and included intext citations throughout your body paragraphs.
• submitted all parts of your essay.
• Proofread and edit your work.

It is important to remember that UMA has a Scholastic Honesty policy regarding plagiarism. For a reminder of what plagiarism is, watch this video(this link opens in a new window/tab) .

Visit the UMA Library for research.(this link opens in a new window/tab)