SQR3

Monica Torres

Comp. Eng. 1301-28

Trang Phan

9/11/10

Revision Strategies of Student Writers and Experienced Adult Writers

Nancy Sommers “Revision of Student Writers and Experienced Adult Writers” College Composition, Vol. 31, No. 4(Dec.1980) pg.378-388

Summary: This article is about two different styles of revision between student writers and writers with more experienced. The students didn’t really like to use the word rewriting or revision, the just used simple words as “scratching out” or “marking out”. When it comes to rewriting to students they believe that all it means is to just rewrite their story and make better or use better words. They write one draft and fix it up then the final copy and then they are done. Most students rely on inspiration; if they feel inspired and the writing comes easily they do not feel the need for revising their story. So basically most students that feel they know what to say write down what’s in their mind and leave it as that. As for experienced writers they take so much time on their story, they go back rewrite throw out words and replace them with new ones. Some experienced writers have many drafts to figure out exactly what they are going to write. The writers details are sometimes added, dropped, or reordered; it all depends on how sense of the story is. Overall the difference between student and experienced writers is very different. Students usually just write off the top of their head and go back to rewrite very little especially if the feel it’s good enough. As for experienced writers they take their time and make sure everything is perfect for them as well as the readers.

Question: Do you think it’s good for writers to go back to reread and rewrite what they wrote?

Response: Yes, to me it’s a good idea because they get to go back to see what they wrote and if they don’t like it they can always make changes. Most students don’t see the point in going back to revise but it really is a good idea because that’s how they become better writers. Most students probably think that going back to revise is a waste of time, that’s what I thought and sometimes still do think that but now I’m starting to see that it’s very important. How else do you think famous authors became famous? They took their time on what they wrote, went back to reread and added or dropped many things. I am pretty sure they went through so much more drafts than what I or other students usually do. Look at them now they’re living it up because they enjoy what they do but also because they would revise their stories and make them better. I’m not saying that revising is going to make you famous, what I’m saying is that revising is good because if you’re doing it for school it will get you a good grade or if you’re doing it for a article in the paper you’re going to get good reviews by many people. Yes revising does take time but in the end it is all worth it because you wrote your story or article correctly and the readers understand what you’re talking about.