Research Writing: Finish Like a Pro

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Revising vs. Editing: What’s the Difference?

Revising focuses on improving content: Is your paper clear? Does each part support your thesis? Are ideas well-organized?

Editing fixes grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting issues.

Both are essential. And guess what? You’re probably already doing some of this without even realizing it.

Get Ready to Review

Before jumping in, take a moment to review your assignment or any evaluation sheet you were given. For example, the Research Paper Evaluation Sheet under Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar breaks it down clearly.

There is a strong hook, clear thesis, and well-structured body paragraphs.

Organization is logical with smooth transitions and a memorable conclusion.

Proper MLA formatting, solid in-text citations, and a clean final Works Cited page are included.

Careful attention was paid to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.

Pro Tip: Use the checklist as your own personal scorecard while revising!

Revising Like a Pro

Complete the following steps when reviewing your paper.

1. Check the Big Picture

• Does your introduction grab attention and clearly introduce your thesis?
• Does every paragraph support your thesis?
• Is your information in the best order?
• Do your transitions help your ideas flow smoothly?

2. Fix the Details

• Are your sentences clear and varied?
• Have you avoided repetition or unnecessary filler?
• Did you properly paraphrase and quote your sources?

Peer Editing: Why It Helps

Another set of eyes can catch what you’ve missed.

Ask a classmate, friend, or parent to review your paper. Use a self-editing checklist to help guide both of you.

Here are a few questions to ask.

• What parts were unclear?
• Did anything feel out of place?
• Did you notice any grammar or punctuation issues?

MLA Format Review

Make sure your paper has the following formating.

a proper MLA header and title

1-inch margins and double spacing

in-text citations (Author’s Last Name Page #)

afinal Works Cited page with hanging indents and alphabetical order

Creating a Works Cited Page

You already created source cards, so now it’s just about formatting them correctly. Here’s a refresher.

Use the MLA format for each type of source.

Don’t number the entries.

Double space with no extra spaces between entries.

Use hanging indents.

Here is an example.

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Perennial, 2002.

Final Thought Before the Finish Line

Revising and editing are where a decent paper becomes a great one. You've put in the time—don’t skip this step. Make sure your paper reflects all the hard work you've done.

When you’re ready, head to the Got It? section to practice your proofreading skills and get your paper ready for submission!