Revision Checklist
Adapted from The Bedford Handbook, ed. Diana Hacker, 6th edition

Do Global Revisions First

Consider your overall purpose for writing and your audience. Look for opportunities to:

Sharpen the Focus

Compare the introduction, especially the thesis, to the body of the paper and to the conclusion. Ask: Does my paper fix my reader’s attention on one central idea without straying from that point? Does my paper fulfill the promise of the thesis? If not:

• clarify the introduction, especially the thesis
• Delete text that is off the point

Improve the Organization

Read only the topic sentences of your paragraphs. Ask: Does my argument flow logically from one idea to the next? If not:

• add or sharpen topic sentences
• move blocks of text to link connected ideas
• add or strengthen transitions to show how one paragraph relates to the next
• consider adding sub-heads to improve flow and visual appeal

Strengthen the Paragraphs

A paragraph should address only one topic. Check to see that paragraphs are:

• unified around one subject or theme (new subject = new paragraph)
• logically connected with strong transitions
• the correct length (as a rule, if a paragraph is more than 3⁄4 of a page long, it is too long. If it is only one or two sentences, it is too short.)

Strengthen the Content

Ask: Is my argument or analysis thorough and complete? Have I deepened my thinking by asking hard questions? Have I avoided making my claim too sweeping or too general? Have I considered the opposing point(s) of view? If not:

• add specific facts, details, and examples
• deepen your ideas by asking hard questions (“how,” “why,” “so what?”)
• emphasize major ideas
• rethink your argument or central insight
• clarify your point of view

Engage the Audience

Ask: Does my paper pass the “So What?” Test? A good paper should:

• let the audience know why they are reading
• grab the reader’s attention
• motivate readers to keep reading

Do Sentence Level Revisions Next

Focus on making your sentences as effective as possible. Look for opportunities to:

Strengthen Sentences

• avoid unnecessary repetition of words
• cut empty or inflated phrases (very, basically, generally, etc.)
• use more active verbs
• eliminate passive voice**

Clarify Sentences

• balance parallel ideas
• supply missing words
• untangle mixed constructions and repair misplaced or dangling modifiers
• eliminate distracting shifts in tense, person, or number

Introduce Sentence Variety

• combine choppy sentences
• break up long sentences
• intersperse long sentences with short ones, and vice versa
• vary sentence openings

Refine the Style

• choose language appropriate for the subject and audience
• choose exact words
• eliminate jargon and clichés
• introduce metaphors, similes and other figurative language when appropriate.

Finally, Proofread for Mistakes

• Check for typos and errors in spelling, tense agreement, plurals, etc.

**For more information on sentence structures and passive voice, see our handout titled “Sentence Structures and Agreement.”