Revising

Revising for Purpose and Audience

Two key factors that run through the entire writing process are purpose and audience. Just as you kept your goal and your readers in mind during the prewriting, thesis writing, and drafting stages, you should also do so in the revision stage. Use this table to help you revise three different types of papers with respect to your purpose and audience:

	Revising for Purpose	Revising for Audience
PAPERS THAT INFORM OR EXPLAIN	What is the point of my paper? Is that point clear? Have I gone beyond the “basic idea” and provided a deeper understanding of the subject? Can I add more facts, details, or examples, perhaps based on research? Are my details and examples arranged in an order that makes sense for my purpose?	What information have I left out? Would readers expect me to cover this material? Have I told my readers something that is new or not widely known? Have I provided enough examples or explanations? Does my organization make sense for my readers?
PAPERS THAT PERSUADE	What is the point of my paper? Is that point clear? Is my claim really arguable? Did I mistakenly word it in a way that nobody could disagree with? Where is my strongest support? How can I make it stronger? Where is my weakest support? Should I keep it? If I keep it, how can I strengthen it? Do my supporting ideas follow each other in an order that makes the most sense for my purpose?	What criticisms will I face from readers with an opposing viewpoint? What can I do to gain their support? Does my organization make sense for my readers?
PAPERS THAT ENTERTAIN OR EXPRESS IDEAS	What is the point of my story? Is that point clear? Does this paper give an account of how I really feel? What details could I add to help show how I feel or think about my subject? Are the events in my narrative arranged in an order that makes sense for my purpose?	Have I brought my subject to life for my readers? Does my organization make sense for my readers?