editing an essay
Part 5 is the final version of your Literature Review. This 1,200 – 1,400-word final draft should include (1) an introduction along with a thesis statement, (2) sectioned paragraphs that begin with topic sentences that introduce the key issues/sub-issues you identified in your analysis and synthesis, (3) source identification and ample evidence in the form of examples, paraphrases, and brief quotes, (5) a conclusion, and (6) a Works Cited page.
Be sure you include at least six sources in your Project 3 Final Version. Your six sources should include a combination of public and scholarly sources. Your instructor will outline the preferred format guidelines for your literature review.
As you revise your Project 3 Literature Review, remember that your purpose is to demonstrate your understanding of the current state of thinking on your research topic.
Skills & Strategies
This Part 5 assignment will help you to
- recognize the importance of revision as part of the recursive writing process
- synthesize peer and instructor feedback and make revision decisions
- identify strengths and weaknesses of your intermediate draft
- expand research as needed
- further develop organizational strategies that contribute to the effective delivery of information and presentation
- expand and strengthen your Literature Review by reconsidering and/or building upon the required essay components and by using the skills and strategies you’ve learned in project parts 1-4.
Description (and Step by Step)
Part 5 asks you to synthesize peer and instructor feedback and make revision decisions. As revisions are a major component in the recursive writing process, your revisions should be substantial and include both global and local concerns.
In revising your Project 3 Literature Review, consider the following questions and steps:
- How might you more fully integrate key issues and literature details?
- In what ways can your introduction be stronger? Check to be sure that you have explained the overarching focus of your literature review and established why your research topic is important.
- How might your thesis more significantly reveal the current thinking on your research topic?
- Review the organization of your literature review. Check to be sure the body of your literature review is divided into the key issues and sub-issues you identified in your analysis and synthesis of the current literature and introduced by topic sentences.
- What added details are needed to further your analysis and contribute to the evidence?
- Check that you have included source identification and ample evidence in the form of examples, brief quotes, and paraphrases. Add details as needed.
- Look for any quoted passages that are too lengthy. In your revision, consider paraphrasing and summarizing, only sparingly quoting when something is said in a particularly unique way.
- How smoothly do you move from one paragraph to another? Consider clear transitions as you introduce sub-issues and sources.
- What citations are still needed? Recheck the required citation and format guidelines.
- In what ways can you strengthen your conclusion so that it highlights the presented evidence and demonstrates any possibilities for future research/action?
- How complete and accurate is your Works Cited page? What revisions need to be made?