Final drafts involve a
switch from "what do I think" to "how do I communicate this to
my audience?"
Once
I've completed a rough draft, I start to look at
structure. People who write from outlines have already structured their
paper, but the rest of us need to start looking at it now. I write an
outline of the paper I've actually written. (Usually, I print out a hard
copy, then label each paragraph. If a paragraph has more than one point, I
revise it to keep one point per paragraph.) Then I figure out how to best
present my ideas so that a reader can best understand them.
After you write your first draft
and an outline of what you've actually written, you need to develop your structure.
You should start with a thesis and then look at what your main points
are and how you will convince a reader. You
should have a topic sentence for every paragraph, even those paragraphs you
haven’t yet written. At this point you will
probably start cutting out considerable writing from your first draft.
Next, work on a Revised Draft:
At
this point your paper should be completely written.
Examine your paragraph and sentence structure, flow,
transitions, whether your evidence proves your points and whether all your examples are necessary.
Make sure you have enough research, sources and quotes.
Finally: Polish
Everything
matters! Look at
spelling, punctuation, possessives, subject-verb agreement, comma-splices,
lazy use of pronouns, wordiness, confusion, style, apostrophes and everything
else.
Checklist
for a Final Draft:
My paper is well
written:
____I have created a compelling thesis.
____My thesis is clear and focused.
____The thesis is the central arch of my paper.
____All the ideas are clearly linked to the thesis.
____I arrange my ideas logically.
____I focus and direct the reader with clear topic sentences and effective
transitions.
____Grammar and punctuation are correct.
My paper is presented well
____It is on time.
____I have proofread out loud.
____I consistently cite my sources
according to
_________.
