True Compositional Stories: Part 5 of 5
Contributed by David Mansfield on 13 October 2006 at 10:07Well, the paper is done, right? Strike that: The draft is done. Before the paper is in turn-in-able form, it needs to be revised.
First, after having set the paper aside for a bit, I give it a quick read-through, out loud, to make sure that my grammar and what not is all right, and that I don't use any awkward phrases like "turn-in-able." The important thing, when reading out loud, is to try to read the paper exactly as it appears, without automatically filling in all the missing words.
The next step is double-checking structure and transitions. I write in the margins, next to each paragraph, the main idea of that paragraph. Then, I make sure these ideas are in a logical order, and check to make sure the connections between them are always clear. Because I have outlined, I am pretty well set here.
Then I go back and make sure that my ideas are tied to my thesis. So I have to look at each paragraph and see how I have connected it to my central theme. There don't seem to be any real issues here.
There are other points that merit consideration in revision - double-checking citations, for example - but I focus on the ones with which I historically have had problems.
And now the paper is ready to turn in, and turn it in I did on Monday. I get it back today, and perhaps I shall add to this post with a comment about my grade. After all, the illustrative example of this week's true compositional stories is lost if I failed the assignment and was mocked openly in class for the appalling quality of my essay.
Which won't happen.
But, if it does, I'll be sure to let you know. Have a good weekend, and make sure to follow the SAGES blog for all your witty grammatical humor.