rewriting 

Importance of Revision in Writing

• Public Speaking Example:

  • Imagine being asked to give a speech in class without preparation.

  • Likely outcome: stops, starts, repetition, unclear sentences.

  • Even a proficient speaker would struggle without pre-rehearsed material.

• Significance of Reviewing and Revising:

  • Writers who review and revise their work enhance their chances of success.

  • Initial drafts rarely reflect the writer's true intent or articulation.

• Common Issues in First Drafts:

  • Sentences may be:

  • Boring

  • Incorrect

  • Redundant

  • Too formal or insufficiently formal

  • Cluttered and lengthy or choppy and brief

• Review and Revise Phase:

  • Involves:

  • Rewriting

  • Getting feedback

  • Editing

  • Proofreading

  • Definition of Revise: Derived from Latin meaning "to look over again."

  • Recommended approach: Take a break before revising to gain a fresh perspective.

• Reviewing Methods:

  • Some writers review digitally; others prefer printing a hard copy for review.

  • Reading aloud helps identify:

  • Flow problems

  • Word choice issues

• Rewriting:

  • The first step in the revision process yet often challenging.

  • Writers might struggle to accept that their first drafts require changes.

  • Particularly exhausting for students who procrastinate writing assignments.

  • Key Takeaway: Rewriting is crucial and should not be skipped, even under time constraints.

  • Conceptual analogy:

  • Rewriting is like remodeling a house—less work than building from scratch.

• Using Technology for Rewriting:

  • Helps streamline the process:

  • Quick deletes, additions, and rearrangements.

  • Facilitates fluidity in revising drafts compared to handwritten work.

Focus During Revising

• Emphasis on:

  • Writing style rather than grammatical errors or organization initially addressed in later editing and proofreading steps.

• Strategies for Effective Rewriting:

  • Analyze the initial draft closely; read aloud to catch issues.

  • Identify and replace:

  • Long words with clearer synonyms

  • Passive verbs with active ones (without artificiality).

  • Wordy descriptions with concise alternatives.

• Avoiding Cliches:

  • Cliches can make writing mundane.

  • Replace cliches with original language to maintain interest.

• Inclusive Language:

  • Avoid sexist language which can alienate readers; use inclusive pronouns.

  • Example: Instead of "a tired officer is often unable to perform his duties satisfactorily," use "tired officers are often unable to perform their duties satisfactorily."

• Varying Sentence Length:

  • Prevent monotony by mixing short and long sentences.

  • Use transitions to ensure smooth flow between ideas.

Role of Rewriting with Research

• Essential for managing quoted material effectively.

• Helps in piecing together information while maintaining coherence and avoiding confusion.

• Creating Flow:

  • Introduce appropriate transitions between sentences and paragraphs to aid comprehension.

  • Provides opportunity to paraphrase and ensures originality, helping to check for plagiarism.

• Example Analysis:

  • Presented with an example concerning the poetry of Emily Dickinson.

  • First paragraph shows poorly organized quotations from research.

  • Revised paragraph reflects improved organization and flow, demonstrating effective rewriting techniques.

Creativity in Writing

• Rewriting as an Expressive Process:

  • Allows the writer to explore creativity and engage with words.

  • Analogy: Writing resembles a playground for imaginative expression:

  • "Swing of sensory words"

  • "Seesaw of balanced sentences"

  • "Slide of transitional devices".

• Conclusion on Rewriting:

  • Rewriting can be more enjoyable than punitive for many writers.

  • It reveals the "truth behind illusion" in the writing process, enhancing the final piece and the writer's skill.