This is versus if you are assigned a 1-page reflection essay that requires you to spend more time writing at 80% and only about 20% of your time revising since there is only so much writing that can fit onto one page. The ratio of planned writing time to revision is usually along the lines of 70/30 or 80/20 depending on the type of writing assignment you have.įor example, if you are assigned an 8-page research paper, then you are more than likely going to spend 70% of your timing writing and 30% of your time revising since you will have more writing that needs revising before you turn it. This will also give you time to consult writing tutors, your classmates, or your teacher if you find you need help during the process. Writing a paper a few days before it is due will allow you to take a step back and edit the big and small details without the pressure of a looming deadline. Although sometimes it’s hard to find time to write and revise amidst your busy schedule, I promise it’s worth it! If you finish a paper twenty minutes before it’s due, then there is little you can do to revise it.
One of the first steps in the revision process is making sure you set aside enough time to properly edit your paper. While most see this as a time to make sure commas are in the right place, revision is for looking at the big picture just as much as the fine details and below are some tips and tricks to get you started! Revision is a time to smooth out the flow of your thoughts through transitioning between your paragraphs, to make sure that each of your paragraphs are balanced with supporting evidence and your own original thought, and to look at sentence level edits like grammar and sentence flow in the final stages. Although it can be a daunting word, revision is the time during your writing when you can carefully go back over your paper to fix any mistakes that may confuse or trip up your reader. Now what? You’ve done your research, written your paper, but the big question now is: what do you do next? Answer: Revise. Why is Revising Important? What is Revision?