The Writing Process: Multi-paragraph Composition Structure - continued

Revise and Edit

Your finished composition should be smooth. In order to polish it, you will need to evaluate your work and make revisions.

Revising your writing is more than just correcting spelling and grammar errors. It is a four-step process that makes your words and sentences stick together.

1. Cut
   As you reread your composition, you might see a sentence that doesn’t seem to end or one that is repetitive. Another sentencemight be padded with unnecessary words. These are examples of wordiness. Here is what you can do to avoid wordiness:
   • Repeat a word or phrase only for emphasis or clarity.
   • If you can get an idea across with fewer words, do it.
   • Remove any words from a sentence that don’t relate to the main idea.
   • Remove any sentences that don’t relate to the main idea of the multi-paragraph composition.
     
     
2. Use appropriate language
   Reread your composition carefully to make sure you have avoided:
   • inappropriate language (colloquialisms or slang), for example, neat, cool, lousy, goon, moocher, etc.
   • jargon—words that are specific to a particular group or profession that others may not understand, example bites, ram, IRP, stet.
   • gender-biased language (sexism)
     
     
3. Expand
   As you reread a paragraph, you might realize that something is missing. If you think you need to add information to clarify an idea:
   • Define words and phrases if their meanings are unclear or substitute better words.
   • Give readers all the information they need to understand what you mean.
   • Add additional ideas to support your thesis statement.
     
     
4. Use Transitions
   • Use words or phrases that help link your ideas together in a logical way.
   • Use transitions to introduce ideas, conclude ideas, and move between ideas.

Click here to view a list of the most common transitional words and phrases.