Turn Revision Goals into Specific Changes

Match a writing goal to a concrete revision and a way to check it.

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5 questions0m 0s

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Name one reader-facing goal, identify the part of the draft that affects it, and make a targeted change. Reread to check whether the change achieves the goal rather than merely making the draft longer.

Worked example

Goal: clarify why a character leaves. Revision: add the missed-bus discovery before the decision to walk. Check: can a reader point to the reason for leaving?

A Draft to Revise

'Eli arrived at the empty station. Something had happened. Eli was upset. Then Eli went somewhere else.' The writer wants readers to understand Eli's problem, emotion, and next action without changing the basic setting.

1. Which change best clarifies the problem? Repeat 'something happened' three times Explain that the last train has already departed Add a list of unrelated colors

2. Which detail shows disappointment through action? Eli was very, very upset The station had a roof Eli lowered the ticket and stared at the empty tracks

3. Which revision makes the next action specific? Eli walked to the bus stop to find another route home Eli did a thing later Something else happened

4. Which check best matches the goal of clarifying the problem? Did the word count double? Can a reader state what prevents Eli from taking the train? Is every word more than six letters?

5. Which change would NOT serve these stated goals by itself? Naming the missed train Showing Eli's reaction Adding an unrelated paragraph about a distant castle

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