238 / Types of Writing
• transitions from one supporting idea to another and from one main idea to
another
• transitions that help your reader follow your organization and the relationships
among your ideas [see transitions in the Glossary]Finally, add a conclusion that refers to your topic or thesis statement and makes some
general statement about the literary element as it lends importance to the work.
STEP 6: Revising—Improving the Content
In order to revise, ask yourself the following questions:
• Is the introduction effective and complete?
• Is the plan clear?
• Are transitions adequate and effective? [See Sample Revision for Transition in
Chapter 3, Revising.]
• Have I developed paragraphs adequately with sufficient supporting details,
including specific details from the work, either quoted or paraphrased? [See
Sample Revision for Specific Detail in Chapter 3, Revising.]
• Have I avoided plagiarism by using quotation marks around words not my own
and documenting accurately? [See plagiarism in the Glossary.]
• Do the main ideas work together to say something about the literary element
as it affects the entire work?
• Have I avoided retelling the story?
• Have I maintained a rather formal writing style, using the third-person point of
view and accurate verb tense?
• Is the vocabulary, including appropriate literary terms, accurate?
• Are my sentences varied both in length and in structure? [See Sample Revision
for Sentence Variety in Chapter 3, Revising.]
• Do my sentences carry the most effective emphasis for their respective
subjects? Are the main ideas in the main clauses? [See Sample Revision for
Emphasis in Chapter 3, Revising.]
• Does the conclusion refer to the topic or thesis sentence and at the same time
make a general statement about the effect of the specific literary element on
the work as a whole? [See conclusion in the Glossary.]Make necessary revisions until your paper satisfies all the preceding suggestions.
STEP 7: Proofreading—Checking Details
As you read your final draft, check for details of grammar, mechanics, and usage.
[See Part IV for rules and examples.] Finally, check spelling and word choice.