Revising:
* Big Picture Focus: Revision is about the content and structure of your writing. It's where you ask questions like:
* Is my argument clear and well-supported?
* Does my introduction grab the reader's attention?
* Is the flow of my ideas logical and engaging?
* Are there any gaps in my research or missing information?
* Re-thinking and Re-writing: You might add, delete, move, or rearrange entire sections to improve the overall impact and clarity of your work.
* Purpose: Revision is about improving the substance of your writing, not just its surface-level correctness.
Editing:
* Surface Level Focus: Editing is about polishing the language and mechanics of your writing. It's where you look for:
* Grammar errors (subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, etc.)
* Punctuation mistakes (commas, apostrophes, etc.)
* Spelling errors
* Word choice and sentence structure issues
* Fine-Tuning: You might change individual words, phrases, or sentences to improve clarity, flow, and readability.
* Purpose: Editing is about making your writing clear, concise, and polished for your reader.
Think of it like this:
* Revising: You're a sculptor shaping a block of clay into a meaningful piece.
* Editing: You're a painter smoothing out the surface of the sculpture and adding finishing touches.
Important Note:
It's helpful to separate these two steps to avoid getting bogged down by details while you're still trying to develop your ideas. You can even do multiple rounds of revising and editing before your writing is truly finished!