Revising the Rough Draft.

I'm afraid I got the horse before the cart a bit here. Next week's lesson should have preceded this one, since it's about getting a rough draft in hand. So just file this information away to think about, maybe add your own ideas to, and then use once your first draft is finished.

There are as many ways to revise as there are writers and methods of putting an article together. So you can put these revision steps in any order that suits you.

However, the universal first step in revision is distance. You need time between draft and revision, so build as much of it as you can into your schedule as you are plotting it to meet the deadline. Several days to a week is ideal; overnight is a bare minimum. The goal is to be able to pick up the work and read it as though you've never seen the words before

While the article is resting use the time to review your contract, the Writer's Market listing, and/or the notes on the conversation you had with the editor that gave you the go-ahead on the piece. This will serve as a reminder of what you intended to accomplish and the audience for whom you are writing.

Once those several days have gone by and you have your draft in hand to revise, what are you looking for?

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Is the purpose of my article accomplished?

Make sure the piece fits the needs of the editor who assigned it. This seems a basic question, however in the excitement of compiling research and interviews, it is quite easy to head off on a tangent that strays far from the original purpose. Make adjustments to get back to what you agreed with the editor to produce. Editors do not like surprises. They expect (and are counting on) what they have assigned.

• Is the language, content and style tailored to the reader?

Check sentence structure, length, and word choice. It stands to reason that more difficult wording and complicated sentence structure would have a place in the New Yorker that would be out of place in Discover for Children. Always be aware of your audience.

• How do you come across as the writer?

What is the tone of your article? Is the article energetic and forceful, or gentle and empathetic? Do the answers show that you accomplished what you aimed to do?

• Does the organization of my piece work?

Does the article grab attention quickly? Is the focus stated early?

Does the article lead the readers step by step to a strong conclusion. Note your transitions--do they build a bridge for the reader from one point to the next?

Is there any information there that can be omitted without affecting the clarity?

Conversely, are there gaps where a little more explanation or a better transition would take the reader on a smoother journey?

Are there points you find covered more than once? Which would be best to eliminate?

Would rearranging any of the material lead to a better flow? Ideally the energy level of your article should build as you work your way through. Your job is to keep the reader wondering what is next, keeping them reading to find out. Make sure this element has been built into your article.

• Does the article fall within the assigned word count?

The editor expects the piece to fall within 10 percent of the assigned word length. Most often a draft is going to be too long, so this is an excellent time to make your words work harder for you. Eliminate weak verbs and nouns and the words that describe them; look for more vivid choices that will state your point concisely. Also be sure to test even your favorite anecdotes, phrases, facts and quotes for relevance. They should stay only if the article would lose an something essential if you left them out.

• What problems do I need to look for simply because this was written by me?

A key point to effective revision is recognizing your writing strengths and weaknesses. If you are not the world's best speller, then be extra cautious about checking the spelling. Similarly if you have a tendency to use sentence fragments, rather than complete ones, then be on the lookout for these.

• Have I used all the tools available to me?

Remember to make your computer work for you. Make use of grammar and spell checking features. Also the simple "find" command can help you pinpoint those words you use too often, as well as "to be" verbs and adjectives/adverbs like "many," "rather," "very," "really," that you should eliminate in favor of words that aren't lazy. Remember, though that you can't rely on your computer completely. Always, always proofread yourself, especially for spelling errors. A word may be spelled right for the computer, but it may be the wrong word for the article.

• Who can help me with the revision?

Ask for feedback from people who have not seen the work in progress. A fellow writer is an excellent choice for critique, as they are can check both for content as well as the finer points of the craft of writing. Additionally, try the article out on an average reader. You may find it helpful to prime your readers with questions such as:

Does the tone seem (light, heavy, humorous, whatever your aim may be.)

Did you lose interest anywhere?

Did you find any part confusing?

Do you have any questions that you feel the article should address to be complete?

Once you've done all the revising and proofreading, for a final test read the piece out loud to yourself. We read mentally much faster than we speak. Speaking the words forces you to slow down and can point up areas where sentences are wordy or unclear.

Be aware that you can revise too much. Revision can be a form of procrastination--it keeps you from putting things in the mail, and from moving on to new projects. Your job is to produce an article that is factual, well-written, and easy to read. Once you've done your job, let the editor suggest changes from that point forward.