Revision

Revision is an essential element of a writing-intensive course. While careful editing is an important part of the process, a W-course revision should involve much more than correcting mistakes. Substantial revision enables students not only to improve their writing, but also to further develop their thinking.

Students need support as they work to transform a draft in a meaningful manner. Instructors can provide this support through written comments that focus on substantive issues, as well as through in-class writing workshops, peer-review sessions and discussion of disciplinary models. The course calendar should allow sufficient time for these activities between the draft and a scheduled revision.

Faculty proposing a W-course must provide a document explaining the role of revision in the course. This document should indicate:

• What piece or pieces students will revise.
• When (in the semester) the revision will occur.
• What methods the instructor will use to help the students move from draft to revision.