What stategies do you use for revising a paper?
There are excellent strategies and links in here for both editing and proofreading:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/proofing.htm
This one does, too, but the editing items are more toward the bottom; the first 3/4ths of this is mainly proofreading:
(Broken Link Removed)
If nobody is available to proofread your work, you can do this yourself. After writing your material, put it aside for a day — at least several hours. (This breaks mental sets you might have that keep you from noticing problems.) Then read it aloud as if you were reading someone else's work. (Reading aloud slows down your reading, so you are less likely to skip over problems.)
If your reading goes smoothly, that is fine. However, wherever you "stumble" in your reading, other persons are likely to have a problem in reading your material. Those "stumbles" indicate areas that need revising.
Once you have made your revisions, repeat the process above. Good papers often require many drafts.
I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.
When revising a paper, there are several strategies you can employ to ensure that your work is polished and effective. Here are some key strategies to consider:
1. Take a break: Start by stepping away from your paper for a little while. This break will help you approach your work with fresh eyes and a clear mind.
2. Review for content and organization: Read through your paper to evaluate the overall flow and structure. Check if your ideas are organized logically and if there is a clear thesis statement and supporting evidence. Make any necessary changes to improve clarity and coherence.
3. Check for grammar and punctuation: Pay close attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Use grammar and spell-check tools, but remember that they may not catch all mistakes. Read your paper carefully sentence by sentence, focusing on proper sentence structure and avoiding common errors.
4. Enhance clarity and conciseness: Look for areas where your writing can be more concise and precise. Identify any wordy or repetitive sentences and make sure your ideas are communicated clearly. Consider rewriting convoluted sentences to improve readability.
5. Strengthen your arguments: Review your supporting evidence and ensure that it is valid, relevant, and effectively supports your main points. Add more evidence if necessary, or remove any weak or irrelevant arguments.
6. Seek feedback: Share your paper with someone you trust, such as a peer, professor, or tutor. Ask for their feedback and consider their suggestions for improvements. A fresh perspective can often spot areas that need further attention.
7. Proofread for a final check: Give your paper one last read-through to catch any remaining errors or typos. Read out loud to help identify awkward phrasing or inconsistencies.
Remember, the revision process is iterative, so it is often helpful to go through these strategies more than once. Additionally, it is always beneficial to start the revision process with enough time before your deadline to allow for multiple rounds of revisions.