Here's a breakdown:
What revising IS:
* Improving clarity: Ensuring your ideas are easy to follow and understand.
* Strengthening your argument: Making sure your evidence supports your claims and your reasoning is logical.
* Adding details: Fleshing out your points with examples, anecdotes, and sensory details.
* Refining your language: Choosing the most precise and impactful words to convey your message.
* Checking for flow and coherence: Making sure your ideas connect smoothly and logically.
* Addressing any errors: Catching and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting mistakes.
What revising IS NOT:
* Starting over: You're building on your existing work, not throwing it away.
* Just proofreading: While proofreading is important, revising goes deeper than simply fixing surface-level errors.
* Only for professional writers: Everyone can benefit from revising their writing, no matter their experience level.
Think of it as a series of steps:
1. Read your work aloud. This helps you identify awkward phrasing and areas where the flow is off.
2. Check your content. Do your ideas make sense? Is your argument strong? Are your details compelling?
3. Focus on clarity and conciseness. Can you simplify your language without losing meaning?
4. Refine your style. Are you using the right tone and voice for your audience?
5. Proofread carefully. This catches any remaining errors.
Revising is an ongoing process. Don't be afraid to go back and revise your work multiple times. The more you revise, the better your writing will become!