Mansfield Library Subject Guides
Successful Researching and Writing:
Basic Revision Strategies
Give yourself some space from your paper. This will give you time to gain a fresh perspective on your paper, which often helps you recognize confusion and disorganization that you might have been too close to identify when you were writing your paper.
Read your paper aloud. Many writing mistakes stay fairly hidden
until they are heard out loud. Reading your paper aloud will also prevent
you from skimming your paper, which can help give you a more comprehensive
view of your paper.
Check your paper for typical errors. Most writers tend to repeat
mistakes whenever they write. If you are aware of these recurring errors,
you can often save time by flagging these errors in an initial, quick
check on your paper.
Get a second reader. Having another person that you trust read
your paper is another helpful tool in revising. Another set of eyes
will not only provide additional help in noticing errors, but also in
offering useful suggestions.
Use the University’s Writing Center. The Writing Center
is not only a physical place to house resources, but it is also a connection
to many writing tutors. You can schedule a time to meet with a tutor
for objective, informed, criticism and aid for your paper. For more
information, go to their web page at The
Writing Center - The University of Montana.
Back to Successful Researching and Writing
8 July 2004