366 / Types of Writing
-^ Reread the question or request for information to make sure you have not
strayed from your purpose. [See Sample Revision for Unity in Chapter 3,
Revising.]
-^ The amount of space provided for your response may be misleading. Use the
space you need to give an accurate response, no more and no less.
-^ Be concise. Avoid wordy, rambling explanations. [See Sample Revision for
Wordiness in Chapter 3, Revising.]
-^ Use complete sentences unless otherwise directed.
-^ In a test situation, allot yourself a specific amount of time to complete
the response. Then stick to the schedule. [See also Chapter 24, Essay-Test
Responses, for an illustration of planning time allotments.]
STEP 4: Revising—Checking the Focus
In tests, the only revision you can afford is to check for focus. Reread the question or
statement, thinking in terms of your response. Did you respond directly to the ques-
tion or statement? Did you respond to every part of it?
On an application, you have time for careful revision; indeed, the reader expects pol-
ished work. Write your first draft on scratch paper, revise it, and enter the final draft
on the application form.
The revision process for an application should deal with these possible weaknesses:
- Have^ I^ responded^ directly^ to^ the^ question^ or^ statement?
- Have^ I^ put^ myself^ in^ the^ most^ positive^ light^ without^ being^ inaccurate?
- Does^ my^ sentence^ structure^ reflect^ my^ personal^ maturity?^ [See sentence
structure in the Glossary, and see Sample Revision for Sentence Variety in
Chapter 3, Revising.] - Does^ my^ writing^ reflect^ my^ skill^ with^ the^ language?^ [See Sample Revision for
Emphasis in Chapter 3, Revising.] - Is^ the^ vocabulary^ appropriate^ to^ my^ purpose?
- Have^ I^ focused^ on^ the^ aspects^ most^ important^ to^ the^ reader?
STEP 5: Proofreading—Checking for Mechanics
Before you hand in a test paper, reread it for spelling, grammar, usage, and mechan-
ics. If you are permitted, use your dictionary to check questionable items.
On an application, take extreme care with your proofreading, perhaps even asking a
friend to check your work, too. See Part IV of this handbook for rules and examples
to help with grammar, usage, and mechanics.