SQR2

Rachel Reyna

English 1301.28

Trang Phan

Sept. 13, 2010

Revision Strategies of Student Writers and Experienced Adult Writers

Summary:

Nancy Sommers states in the article that “current models of the writing process directed attention away from revision”. Sommers‘ article describes the different contrasts between student and experienced writers. She uses a variety of resources to help understand more of the revision process and how it affects students and writers. the absence of research on revision, then, is a function of a theory of writing which makes revision both superfluous and redundant, a theory which does not distinguish between writing and speech. Although, the author took theories from other writers, one can also learn about revision.

Revision can be considered as a rewording activity. Different students in the article are used to

give their strategies on how they use revision in their writings. One student stated about his strategy “Reviewing means just using better words and eliminating words that are not needed. I go over and change words around.” Experienced writers also defined their revision process in Sommers’ article. “My first draft is usually very scattered. In rewriting, I find the line of argument. After the argument is resolved, I am much more interested in word choice and phrasing” is the point of view of an experienced writer.

Question:

How important do you think it is to revise a paper with detail? How and with what methods would you want a peer to revise your paper?

Response:

I personally feel that some students should not give only one statement when it comes to revising a paper. I feel that revision statements that are clear, honest and precise will be the most useful to a writer, especially when they are a student writer. When revising a paper, one should be able to point out the writers mishaps and explain their thinking. If one is not honest or precise, then how is that going to help the writer become a better one? I would want someone to revise my paper with cruelty and honesty. Some might feel honesty can be cruelty, but in my perspective I think it is those two factors that makes someone a better writer. I would want to know everything from about my grammer mistakes to my sentences flowing. I understand why Sommers felt compelled to write an article about revision. It is a useful tool to create a good piece of literature.

Works Cited:
Sommers, Nancy. “ Revision Strategies of Students Writers and Experienced Adult Writers” College Compositions and Communication Dec 1890: pgs 378-388