This paper was the most useful tool worksheet because it helped me separate the essay into sections. I had a terrible problem where I free write a few pages and consider that an essay. Although the free writing is a great way to get thoughts on paper, it doesn’t organize the essay in a coherent way. This revision strategy clearly outlines what I need to look for. I need to identify and refine a strong thesis statement. Organize paragraphs in a logical layout that tells a story and illustrates the ideas I’m proposing. The quotes in the essay shouldn’t be floating and they need to relate directly to the topic at hand. Finally, making sure transition sentences walk the reader through the essay so nobody is left stranded and confused. I have used this strategy in essays for other classes like in sociology. I also want to enter an essay contest for a scholarship and I’ll use this same revision strategy to win it.
Before learning how to properly revise an essay, I would get my ideas down and call it a day. That would leave me with a sub-par essay with great ideas floating around with no direction to go in. This strategy has helped me step back and look at my essay so that my ideas serve an argument that outlines the scope of the essay as a whole.
