Guidelines for Revisions

The revision assignments for Humanities 1 will help you improve your papers in a number of ways. Most of you will refocus, clarify, expand, or condense arguments you made initially. Some of you might change directions entirely, turning in what will essentially figure as a new paper. All of you will edit carefully for grammar, style, and mechanics. It is important to take full advantage of the opportunity to revise: careful rewriting now will not only have a positive effect on your grade, but will also translate into less work at portfolio time.

Two factors help determine the grade you will receive on your revision:

1) the quality of the paper as a whole; and
2) the quality of the revisions you make.

The first category needs little explanation; grading criteria are the same here as for your other papers. The second category requires some clarification.

We assess the quality of changes made by looking at the level of initiative you demonstrate in making your own editorial decisions. In addition, we take into account the degree to which you incorporate changes suggested by your peer editor and instructor or tutor. This does not mean that you must make all of the changes your readers recommend. However, you do need to take their comments seriously: if your readers are confused by your argument or mystified by your style, you should thoroughly consider ways to make your point more clear.

When you have a choice about which paper you will revise, choose a paper you think has promising overall potential and that you can improve significantly. This sounds deceptively simple, but is important. There is no formula to help you determine which paper will be more successful.

"No Pass" or "Low Pass" papers usually require at least one extra draft before they are ready to be turned in as revisions. The effort usually proves worthwhile, but it is important to recognize the risks in this approach: revisions in one version of an essay can lead to a whole new set of questions in the next. Likewise, although solid passes and "High Pass" essays usually do not require massive organizational revisions, writers must work hard to make fruitful changes that bring their papers to a more sophisticated level of analysis. If you keep in mind the criteria for grading and—above all—work with a paper that interests you, you will have made an excellent start.

All students will attach a brief preface (approximately 200 words) to their revision assignments explaining what changes they made, any changes they chose not to make, and any concerns or questions they have about the revision or grading process.