Final Revision Assignment '20

Revision Assignment

Due: Friday, May 15th

(but extensions possible through May 22nd!)

  • Here's the turnitin.com info:

      • Class ID: 23771899

    • Enrollment key: English

    • Click here

Please revise the story you workshopped or your other main story submission (but you can also write something new--just discuss this with me first)

Instructions for handing in your final piece:

  • Revise your story

  • Write a reflection on what you revised and why (instructions below)

  • Post your story and the reflection on turnitin.com

  • Word count: 1000 words + 250 word reflection= 1,250 words

  • You will be graded on

    • Correct formatting, spelling, grammar, other mechanical issues

      • Really important to get this stuff right in your final draft

    • Demonstration of thoughtful revision in story

      • Note, you must revise the story

        • In other words, it's not an option to hand in the same story you submitted for workshopping or for me to critique

      • If you hand in the same story, your grade will be substantially lower.

      • It's possible that you love your story as is and don't really feel that it needs changing. Not a problem--with writing, you can (and should) always keep successive drafts. For this assignment, I only ask that you play around with your story. Remember that you learn from taking risks and honoring your intuition. DO NOT PLAY IT SAFE!

        • Try something wacky, like changing the POV or form

        • Change the beginning and see where the new beginning leads you

        • Cut a scene and add a new one

        • Go straight to the conflict (cut your beginning) and expand on your crisis scene

  • Please consult the writing contract before you hand in your piece.

    • Proofread your piece and check for errors

      • Remember--I do take off points for mechanical errors

Instructions for Reflections on Revision:

    • B) Required: At the bottom of your story, please write the following:

        • What you revised and why

          • Be specific in your description of what you revised

            • State which suggestions you're using and why

            • Which suggestions did you decide not to use? (Totally fine not to use them--you should always go with your own gut when revising!)

        • Tell me what you're proud of in the revision

        • Tell me what you think might still need work

        • Any questions for me?

        • How long did the revision take you?

        • Minimum word count for the reflection: 250 words but can be longer

VERY IMPORTANT! By revision, I don't simply mean fixing punctuation, grammar, spelling, etc.

(though this is all extremely important).

Revision means (among other things):

  • cutting paragraphs

  • re-writing dialogue

  • fleshing out a scene, character, detail or setting

  • eliminating a scene

  • providing background on a character

  • adding a flashback

  • even re-writing the entire story from scratch

  • pov change

To this effect, I recommend you re-type the story and read it out loud--

don't just cut and paste, using the delete key on an earlier draft. Even better, put the earlier drafts away and re-write your story without looking at them. This will help you eliminate the "darlings" in your writing.