Revise

After all the work you have done to this point, it is time to set your academic paper aside for a few days to let your ideas "gel".

When you come back to it:

• read your paper aloud to detect any weaknesses in reasoning and structure;
• add or delete content to strengthen arguments and make connections;
• make certain everything in the paper relates back to your thesis statement; and
• have someone read and comment on it.

At this point in writing your academic paper, you should also finalize your thesis statement to:

• fit at the beginning or end of the introductory paragraph;
• anticipate your conclusion and set in motion the presentation of supporting points;
• control, focus, or direct the entire paper; and
• plainly state your position for the reader

Key Resources
Reviewing your Academic Paper
Thesis Statements
How do I Know if I'm Demonstrating Critical Thinking

Edit Organization, Sentence Structure, and Word Choice

Edit your academic paper for organization, sentence structure and word choice. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does each paragraph have one main idea expressed in a topic sentence?
• Do succeeding paragraph sentences relate to their topic sentence?
• Does sentence structure vary?
• Have irrelevant or repeated words or phrases been deleted?
• Is word choice precise, vivid, varied?

Edit Grammar

Now that your content is logical, connected and well organized, take a close look at your grammar. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are appropriate verb tenses used?
• Are there any contractions e.g. "don't" or "can't"? If so, rewrite in full "do not" or "cannot".
• Have you run a spell-check? Have you searched for homonyms (their/there)?
• Are prepositions and modifiers in the correct places?

Key Resources
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) This is a user-friendly site with an excellent section on grammar with handouts available in both .pdf and printer friendly formats.
Temple University Writing Center Nine Strategies for Successful Proofreading
Temple University Writing Center's Grammar, Punctuation and Mechanics