Brilliant Revision Worksheet

The College Prep Revision Challenge

First Read: Common Pitfalls

Except in quotations from your research or your literature:

1. Cross out the words “you” and “I.”

2. Cross out all weak language like “I think” or “I believe.”

3. Eliminate run on and fragment sentences.

4. Be sure that “it’s” is used as “it is” and that “its” shows possession.

5. Be sure that “there,” “their,” and “they’re” are used correctly.

6. Use the author’s complete or last name when you refer to him/her.

7. Read your essay once just looking for spelling and word use errors. HINT: Read your essay backwards to catch these errors.

8. Read your essay once JUST looking for punctuation errors.

Second Read: Looking at the Six Traits

1. Look for weak words that don’t embody the idea. An outstanding paper has powerful vocabulary that stimulates the reader and conveys the intended meaning in an interesting and natural way.

2. Look for weak sentences that don’t flow well or are too long to make any sense. An outstanding paper has an easy flow and sentence sense that makes the text easy to read aloud. Give suggestions.

3. Look for language or sentence structure that is too informal for an academic essay. Fix it.

4. Look at the transition sentence at the beginning of every body paragraph and the conclusion. Does it link the two paragraphs in a logical and fluent way?

5. Look at the introduction. It should have a clear thesis statement that provides your position on the question you answered and the point you plan to make.

6. Look at the conclusion. It should be satisfying and should not simply repeat the introduction.

Third Read: Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

1. Look for big statements that are not supported. These statements should either be cut or developed.

2. Reread the question you are answering on page 450. Have you answered the entire question? If not, revise!

You are not limited to these ideas. Be your own toughest critic. Embrace the challenge!