Mr. Walker’s Guide to REVISING, EDITING and PUBLISHING an Essay

REVISING: Getting Clear, Clearer, Clearest

1. Eyes plus ears are sharper tools to catch mistakes.
2. Check that you understand and answered all parts of the essay question.
3. Ensure your thesis is a clear, declarative sentence.
4. Add transitional phrases between paragraphs.
5. Clarify all topic sentences.
6. Check that supporting details are aligned with topic sentences.
7.  Ensure all paragraphs are at least five sentences each.
8. Cross out sentences/words that are redundant or confusing.
9. Strengthen vocabulary (It was an extravagant necklace. vs. It was a pretty necklace).
10. Ask someone to read your work with a critical eye.

EDITING: Getting Picky, Pickier, Pickiest

1. Put the proper punctuation at the end of each sentence.
2. Capitalize all first words of sentences and all proper nouns.
3. Indent all paragraphs.
4. Circle any word you feel unsure about the spelling and check a dictionary.
5. Read your work aloud to hear run-ons, fragments or subject verb disagreement.
6. Read your work aloud asking if each sentence is clear and necessary.
7. Look at commas and ask yourself is my reader supposed to pause here or not.
8. Are your paragraphs clear groups of sentences discussing a single topic?
9. Use active voice at all times.
10. Check for a diversity of sentences (compound, complex, simple, exclamatory).

PUBLISHING: Making it Shine, Shine, Shine!

1. Type your work in Microsoft Word
2. Set your margins to ONE INCH on ALL sides (File, Page Setup, Margins)
3. Insert header with your last name and page number in the top left hand corner.
4. Highlight and then double space your paper
5. Center your very interesting title.
6. Do not create a double space between title and first sentences of paper
7. Add a heading that includes in this exact order: Your Name, Your Teacher’s Name,

         Your Class and the Due Date.

8. Save your paper on your computer, on a flashdrive, and then send it to yourself and someone else in an email.
9. Visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ to double check.
10. Print on white paper with black ink.