Many students correct only for grammar/punctuation errors because in grade school, those were usually what their writing teachers focused on when students got their papers returned filled with red marks. Students want to avoid the traumatizing experience of having their graded papers returned filled with red marks and then a low grade so that's why students focus so much attention to grammar mistakes in the re-write stage, and not pay enough attention to revising for essay structure. Many students are surprised that revising for essay structure is more important than revising for grammar.
What is the difference between revision and proofreading?
Revision is when you correct for essay structure. To revise for essay structure, you have to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do I have a thesis statement? Does my essay state one central idea?
2. Do my supporting paragraphs describe/explain/support/justify my main idea (thesis)?
3. Did I place my thesis statement as the last sentence of the first paragraph?
4. Where in the paper do I need more clarification? What are the weaknesses and strengths of my paper? Does the paper make sense?
5. Do I have a good hook? an interesting introduction?
6. Do my topic sentences match my thesis?
7. Does each paragraph express one central idea?
8. Are each paragraph less than 10 sentences?
9. Does my conclusion paragraph give the reader closure?
When you revise, you are looking to see if your essay makes sense and if your overall essay structure is sound. Forget for the moment your grammar mistakes! That comes later! Focus and concentrate on making sure your essay will make sense to the reader. Make sure the essay is not too hard or too easy for your audience. If your essay is too hard, your audience will be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar lingo. If your essay is too easy, your audience will fall asleep. Make sure you are writing for the right purpose. If you have a claim, make sure your reasons justify that claim and that you do not go off topic.
Why should we revise for essay structure before we proofread for grammar/mechanic mistakes?
We revise first because even if your essay has perfect grammar, your essay is useless if your reader cannot understand what you have read. After you are certain your essay makes sense, and your essay structure is sound, then you can start correcting for grammar errors. Proofreading is defined as the reader correcting any grammar mistakes he has made. Remember, revision comes before proofreading. Have somebody else look over your paper as you may have gotten too used to your paper and have somebody else look to see if you have made any grammar mistakes.
Once you start correcting your paper, you have reached the last stage of The Writing Process--the Re-Write stage. One Drafters tend to just quickly revise all in one sitting while multi-drafters revise forever. It is hard to pull multi-drafters away from their paper. I remember there is even a textbook that instructs students how to 'walk away' from their paper and not get addicted to constant revision.
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