REAL REVISION:

Sharing Authors’

Strategies with Students

http://www.katemessner.com

Revision should not be a

surprise.

Assignment:

Write for one minute, describing a place that you love.

WHAT REVISION ISN’T…

Spell Checking Hiring a professional editor Solitary A process with a single

correct solution or end point

WHAT REVISION IS

BrainstormingFree-Writing(and maybe

starting over)

Princess Marty Frog-Slimeand the

Nutcracker Ballet

Confessions of a Sea Monster

“Well…This is funny. But it sounds more

like a New Yorker cartoon than a book for

kids.”

Draft 1

Draft 2

Draft 3

Draft 4

Time to

Write!Sometimes poem…

Time to

Write!Sometimes poem…

WHAT REVISION IS

Finding & Strengthening the Heart of a project

This book is about _________________________________________________________________________________________. (But underneath that, it’s really about __________________________________________________________________________________________.

My book is about a figure skater from a small-town maple farm who earns a scholarship to train with the elite in Lake Placid & discovers a world of mean girls on ice.

But underneath that, it’s really about making a decision to follow your own dreams instead of the dreams that are chosen for you.

My book is about a future world where killer tornadoes are widespread and four kids at a science camp who are trying to stop them but discover a terrifying secret.

But underneath that, it’s really about using your powers for good.

This paper is about _________________________________________________________________________________________. (But underneath that, it’s really about __________________________________________________________________________________________.

If your poem/essay/personal narrative/ research paper could talk back to you right now, what would it say?

WHAT REVISION IS

Charts, maps, timelines, & outlines

More Ideas…

• Map the setting – note important events

• Chapter by chapter timelines• Plot charts with rising/falling

action• Outline (after writing) to

identify weak chapters

WHAT REVISION IS

Considering all five senses.

Time to

Revise!Sometimes poem…

Add SMELLS

WHAT REVISION IS

Returning to Research

WHAT REVISION IS

Details and Word Choice

Be specific.Be surprising.

Look for delicious details

Look for delicious details

Google Maps – Street View

Role Play!Replace Tired Body

Language

** Role Play! Replace Tired Body

Language

ANGRYFRUSTRATED

ANXIOUSSCARED

JOYFUL-EXCITEDDEPRESSED

WHAT REVISION IS

Being a Word Ninja

veryreallyjustthat

“what looked like”

JUSTANDRATHERBEGAN TOAS THOUGHTHENBUT ALWAYS

GLANCEDIN THAT MOMENTSO A BITI GUESSMAYBETHATVERY REALLY

Watch for “pet” stories, ideas,

themes, phrases…

Brainstorm: What words,

phrases, & pet stories are on your personal

“MOST WANTED” list?

Time to Revise!

***Sometimes poem… Cut at least 20 words

WHAT REVISION ISBeing Social

-Critique Groups/Partners

Post-It Note Critiques

ORANGE = “I LOVE THIS!”

GREEN = “I’M BORED.”YELLOW=“I’M CONFUSED”

WHAT REVISION IS

Making Lists……and getting to

work!

Five Reasons Kids Don’t Want to

Revise(and what teachers

can do about it)

REASON #1

“But I just FINISHED. And I

like my paper the way it is.”

SOLUTION:

Start the revision conversation

early.

After We Write…

REVISION – PART I REVISION – PART 2 REVISION – PART 3

REASON #2

“I already ran a spell check. I’m

good.”

SOLUTION:

Teach students the difference

between revising and editing.

REASON #3

“I don’t know where to start.”

SOLUTION:

Have a revision checklist ready…

Student Critique Partners• Trade papers with a partner•Use highlighters to indicate the following:• Pink = Consider cutting this part.• Green = I’m confused now.• Orange = Use more vivid details/precise language.

• Yellow = This part works really well!•In the margin next to each color (or on a Post-It note), write a note explaining your highlighting and making suggestions.

REASON #4

“Everybody says I’m a great writer.

Great writers don’t need to

revise.”

SOLUTION:

Use published authors as role

models, through text examples and

Skype visits.

GUESS HOW MANY DRAFTS?

14!

REAL REVISION:

Sharing Authors’

Strategies with Students

http://www.katemessner.com