Optional Re-Write Guidelines
Writing 10
You have the option of revising one essay and turning it in for a better grade. Maximum number of points
awarded for a re-write is 10 (for example, from 75 to an 85). To receive full credit, you must have turned in the
essay on time, and the essay must not be plagiarized. You cannot re-gain points for points lost for not turning it in
on Turnitin.com a(or any bonus points). Your revised essay should be a substantial re-write of the original essay.
It should demonstrate a conscientious effort at complete revision, not a simple fixing of superficial errors
(misspelling, formatting errors, fragments, run-ons, etc). Attention to errors in logic, coherence, argumentation,
quoted material, and exposition is essential. The best way to get the maximum number of points is to work with
your professor on a re-write, so that together, you both can track and make revisions as needed. NOTE: A rewrite
is a complete body makeover, from rewriting the thesis, to rewriting body paragraphs, to researching and
adding new material. This rewrite is not just a cosmetic fixing of minor errors. Essays not demonstrating a full
revision will be given “0” to limited points. You cannot earn a lower grade than what the essay originally earned.
Keep in mind that the rewrite will not have comments written on it; if you want to know specific comments
regarding why you earned the grade that you did, you must meet with me during office hours within one week
after the due date to discuss your grade on the rewrite.
FOR FULL CREDIT:
1) You must fill out this worksheet
2) Turn in a digital copy on Turnitin.com by the deadline; a hard copy is also required.
3) Turn in the original, graded essay (with graded rubric)
4) Write a 2 (two full pages or more, roughly 500 words, dbl spaced) page reflection on the revision process.
The reflection essay must show and not tell. Failure to make specific reference to the original and revised
essay will not earn any points.
5) Turn in hard and digital copies by due date and time. The deadline for the re-write (hard copy) is
Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 11 am (in class). Digital copies of the revised essay, revision worksheet,
and 2 page reflection essay is due same day by 5 pm***Failure to turn in digital copies of your work
will result in 5 points being deducted from the potential 10 the essay might earn.***
Do not open a new document. Type your answers below:
1. What is your overall impression of your essay before and after the essay was graded? What are its specific
strengths and weaknesses? To explain, re-visit the writing prompts and the Major Essay Rubric, and
compare and contrast your essay to the objectives and requirements. How does your essay match up (or
fail)? Use examples from your essay to support your claims.
2. What is your essay’s thesis before and after the essay was graded? Copy and paste both thesis statements
below. Explain why you think the first thesis is/is not arguable, provocative, focused, whether it passes
the “so what?” test. Then explain how and why the thesis on the revised essay is arguable, provocative,
focused, and whether it passes the “so what?” test.
3. Does the introduction on your revised essay capture reader’s attention? If so, how? If not, why? Do you
attempt to offer an interesting opener (hook) that leads into the essay’s thesis? In what ways is the
introduction on your revised essay different from the original essay?
4. Is there anything in the original AND revised essay’s introduction that is confusing or incoherent?
Explain. Be specific. Cite several examples from your essay.
5. How are the body paragraphs developed in your first essay? In what ways did your essay fail or exceed in
its use of modes of exposition, as well as in its use of the three modes of argumentation? Use at least 3
different examples from your essay to supplement your claims.
6. Do your paragraphs on the revised essay contain topic sentences? If so, list at least 3 different ones here.
7. Explain how the topic sentences above relate to the thesis statement. In what ways do the topic sentences
function as answers to the main problem (A=subject, problem; B= focus, purpose, direction, answer to
problem)?
8. Do the body paragraphs on the first essay supply enough information for the reader? Which points still
need explanation and clarification? Provide examples; explain what might be missing.
9. In the revised essay, what kinds of quoted material did you use? (provide titles of articles, books, authors,
and a brief analysis of what the text is about, and why and how you used it to validate the claim you make
in your essay).
10. Which modes of exposition did you use? Provide examples.
11. In the revised essay, do you use vivid language as in strong images, descriptions, similes, and metaphors?
Do you show and not tell? Compare and contrast at least 2 different sentences, one from the original
essay, and one from the revised essay.
ORIGINAL ESSAY SENTENCE:
REVISED ESSAY SENTENCE:
12. Why and how are these sentences effective (in what ways do these sentences support the claims or
thesis?) Explain.
13. In the original essay, pick one particularly weak paragraph, which does not demonstrate strength in focus
and purpose. Consider a paragraph where you make a claim, but fail to use specific modes of exposition
and argumentation/your focus is weak. Cut and paste that paragraph below. Then, compare and contrast
that same paragraph you edited in the revised essay, and explain which changes you made and why.
ORIGINAL ESSAY PARAGRPAH:
REVISED ESSAY PARAGRAPH:
CHANGES AND EXPLANATION:
Essay Re-Write Self Reflection
In a minimum of 2-4 full pages (about 500 words minimum, double spaced), please write an essay focusing
on the writing and revision process of the optional rewrite. You must show, don’t tell by providing specific
examples from BOTH essays (the original, graded essay and the revised essay). No rubric is necessary. Turn
in all rough drafts and prewriting. Use 1st POV in the essay self reflection. You must open a new Word
document.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What do you think are the main problems in the first essay? Which part of the writing process (prewriting,
thesis statement, rough drafts, peer editing, incorporating in text citations, building paragraphs, using—or not
using a variety of modes of exposition and three modes of argumentation, research process, etc.) gave you the
most trouble and why? Be specific; show, don’t tell. Provide examples from BOTH the original and revised
essay to show what you changed, how you changed the material, and why. Don’t simply state what you fixed;
explain how and why you fixed what you did. For full credit, you must make specific reference to what and
why you revised errors regarding grammar, spelling, sentence structure, logic, use of in-text citations (direct
and paraphrased), rewriting the thesis, formatting--including Works Cited, and titles. Be sure to explain what
effect these aspects had on your essay BEFORE and AFTER you revised your essay. You must use examples
from the graded essay to explain how and why you made changes in the revised essay. Failure to provide
examples and to show, don’t tell, will result in minimal or ZERO points being given for the rewrite.