Instructions
When revising your text, follow this process:
- First, read the entire document. Don’t make any notes. Don’t correct any mistakes. Just read the text.
- Then, write one or two sentences that summarize what you have just read. Next, read the text again.
- This time, stop after each paragraph or section, and write one or two sentences that summarize what you have just read in that section or paragraph.
- Finally, look at the various summaries you have created. Do they all relate to each other? Are there sections where you need to clarify more? Are there areas that need more support material or explanation?
Make notes on your text in the margins.
Continuing the Process
Moving on, take your document and your notes and begin to revise the document. Some find that starting with a fresh piece of paper or Word document is more helpful then working on the same draft. Whatever works for you, just start revising.
Helpful Suggestions for Revising
Work with a friend or peer. Ask your friend or peer to follow the steps above when reading your paper. Ask them to explain what your paper is about. Remember: it is always a good idea to let others read your work. In fact, the Capella Writing Center offers wonderful services to writers. Go see them. There is a link in the resources for this unit’s discussion.
If you are using Microsoft word, there is a “track changes” program that allows you to add comments and make changes to texts without changing the original. This is helpful when revising.
Reflection and Revision
At this point in the course, reflect on your writing process. To conduct a reflection on the process, you will want to review a variety of documents and texts from the course. Start by doing the following:
- Collect and read the feedback your peers have given you.
- Collect your various drafts and outlines.
- Review the comments your instructor has made.
As you read all the information, make note of the various areas your readers have commented on or critiqued. Do you see either similarities or differences in the comments and critiques offered to you?
Now, craft a revision plan based on the comments and observations you have collected and reviewed. This revision plan needs to include the following:
- A listing of three areas that need improvement.
- A detailed timeline of work still to be completed.
- A list of any elements of the writing process that you feel you need more information on to complete the revision.
The revision plan should be at least two pages.
Your plan will scored on the following criteria:
- Create a revision plan that refers to comments from instructor and peer.
- Identify three areas for improvement.
- Craft a schedule that addresses elements of the writing process.
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Unit 2 discussion instructor comments
For this Unit 2 discussion, you were required to answer a series of questions regarding your reading and mining of information. One peer response was also required.
As always, your voice was appreciated here! I appreciate your willingness to share your insights in a way that is both substantive and candid. Continue to take into account the important connection between strong reading/mining skills and effective writing as we move forward into coming weeks.
Peer comment Unit 2
Hi, I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that both are great outlines or writing strategies that can help us with our writing process. I found the MEAL writing style a lot easier to follow but it is good to try other things that we are not familiar with. Good luck in the course!
Unit 3 Discussion Peer comments
I enjoyed your post. It was nice to read how the reverse outline works best for you in your writings. I always lean more towards the MEAL plan method because I have used it longer and am more comfortable with it. It is nice to read how others use the reverse outline method and how it helps their writings.
Unit 4 Discussion 1 Peers comments
I agree with you, editing is an important piece in writing and planning. My problem is I end up focusing too much on editing. Is that where you fall short as well or do you just need to improve your editing skills? As far as planning, I don’t have too much trouble in that area unless other things come up in my life and then I have a hard time with time management, become overwhelmed and then fall short. When this happens I know I need to set boundaries and increase my motivation. What aspect to planning troubles you the most? Good post though, I enjoyed reading it, thank you!
Unit 4 Discussion 2 Peer comments
(Peer 1)
1) thank you for your post! What area of mental health specifically, just curious? I like how you plan to write from an ethical stand point. With that there is really no room for argument unless one is challenging the code of ethics you will be referring to in your writing. That current, big National Florida story where the principle spanked a student is an interesting ethical case study and I’m interested in seeing how it’s written about and from different stand points. Although the priniciple violated school policy she did not violate Florida law and if one is going to report on the case and write about it from an ethical stand point I’m curious as to who the writer is and what code of ethics and stand poin they will be taking. The child’s, the prinicple’s and current state law, etc., The case could be viewed and written from many different stand point and like you mentioned, persuasion in a paper, and if writing from the ethical stand point, everyone could be wrong and everyone could be right. Wonder how the author’s / reporters of this story will persuade one side or another in the writing using logos, ethos and pathos.
(peer 2)
2)Very well developed post! I enjoyed reading it and it made me think of the BACB ethic code for my paper. You brought up really great points that I will be thinking of when writing my paper. I am in the ABA field and mental health was my second option when I was deciding what to do for my Masters’. I think both of our fields are similar since they both involve children and adults with special needs or some kind of diagnosis. Good luck on your paper! I think you are in the right path to writing an amazing research paper.
Assignment unit 1 instructor comments
Your first task for this 1-2 page paper with 3 cited sources was to locate a variety of journal articles in your field, focusing on three. You then needed to describe several different aspects of how these articles were written, such as purpose, audience, scope, structure, main ideas, level of formality, formatting, etc.
I appreciated your insights here. Hopefully, this first assignment was helpful in encouraging you to identify the type(s) of writing common in your field as well as in helping you to select reliable academic resources. Both skills will be helpful as we move forward in this course.
- Your work on this short paper was clearly focused on your specific field of study.You included enough detail to show solid engagement with the material. Nicely done!
- Your sources look excellent here, and you’ve taken the time to explore each in a way that enhances the final paper. Any time you locate a source that is of particular interest to your studies, I encourage making a note of it and/or bookmarking it so you can return to the information at a later date.
- Scope, structure, and main ideas were explored and identified well here. Keep these three elements in mind as a way to determine the quality and potential application of sources when conducting research for any type of academic writing topic.
- You honed in on some interesting similarities and differences where these different sources are concerned. Continue to take into consideration the different styles, etc. of publications in your chosen field.
- Be sure to include an in-text citation for each source listed on the reference page. Be sure to see the APA formatting docs I’ve posted in Updates & Handouts to help with formatting your papers as needed moving forward.
UNIT 3 ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTOR COMMENT
Nice work,
For this Unit 3 assignment you were to write a 3-5 page paper about how one thinks, researches, and writes in your field.
Summaries of three suitable articles were required, as was an explanation of the dominant themes and ideas in the articles focusing specifically on topic, purpose, and other aspects.
The tone of this paper needed to be appropriately formal for academic purposes, and APA formatting was required (with summaries, direct quotes, and paraphrases).
I enjoyed reading this! See the scoring guide for more information about how it was graded.
- You’ve done a nice job here of identifying a solid selection of themes that are applicable to a given topic or thesis. When compiling materials for academic papers in this course and others, continue to take into account the importance of choosing the strongest source materials possible.
- Themes are supported well here with the source material. Prose is appropriately formal, focused, and direct.
- Both in-text citations within the text of the essay as well as the full-text citations on your references page look strong throughout. Continue to use a variety of techniques for weaving citations into the paper, reading aloud to help with flow and clarity when necessary.
Unit 4 assignment instructor comments
For this Unit 4 assignment, you were required to use the Outline Worksheet to craft an outline that included your topic, purpose, issues to be explored, and the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of your paper.
This document represents an important pre-writing step in the writing process.
Thanks for sharing your work here! See the Scoring Guide for details about how this was graded.
- The overall purpose of the paper was identified here. Continue to hone and narrow this purpose to suit your needs if it feels a bit too broad or unwieldy moving forward.
- Arguments are summarized well throughout. This looks like an interesting and timely topic.
- The conclusion is clearly articulated in this outline. Know that this, and other elements of the paper, may change somewhat as you move into the drafting and revision processes.
