Revision, Editing, and Proofreading
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The Multi-Stage Revision Process
Good writing is rewriting. The revision process has three distinct stages, each focusing on different aspects of your paper.
Stage 1: Revision (Big Picture)
- Does your thesis still hold after writing the paper?
- Is your argument logical and well-organized?
- Is each paragraph necessary and in the right place?
- Are transitions smooth between paragraphs and sections?
- Have you addressed potential counterarguments?
Stage 2: Editing (Sentence Level)
- Are sentences clear and concise?
- Is your word choice precise?
- Have you varied sentence length and structure?
- Is the tone consistent and appropriate?
Stage 3: Proofreading (Surface Level)
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
- Formatting consistency (headings, margins, spacing)
- Citation format accuracy
- Page numbers and headers
Use a grammar checker for automated proofreading, but always follow up with a manual review.