REAL REVISION: Talking the Talk and

Walking the Walk

Kate Messner

http://www.katemessner.com

So…what are you writing these days?

Revision should not be a

surprise.

Assignment:

Write for three minutes, describing a place that you love.

WHAT REVISION ISN’T…

Spell Checking

Hiring a professional editor

Solitary

A process with a single correct solution or end point

http://devilduck.tumblr.com/post/3834151230

WHAT REVISION IS

Brainstorming

Free-Writing

(and maybe

starting over)

Princess Marty Frog-Slimeand the

Nutcracker Ballet

Confessions of a Sea Monster

“Well…This is funny. But it sounds more

like a New Yorker cartoon than a book for

kids.”

What if things turned

out differentl

y?

Two Books

in One?

Who’s that guygirl?

Considering

different formats

Draft 1

Draft 2

Draft 3

Draft 4

Time to

Write!Sometimes poem…

Time to

Write!Sometimes poem…

WHAT REVISION IS

Finding & Strengthening the Heart of a project

This book is about _________________________________________________________________________________________.

(But underneath that, it’s really about __________________________________________________________________________________________.

My book is about a figure skater from a small-town maple farm who earns a scholarship to train with the elite in Lake Placid & discovers a world of mean girls on ice.

But underneath that, it’s really about making a decision to follow your own dreams instead of the dreams that are chosen for you.

My book is about a future world where killer tornadoes are widespread and four kids at a science camp who are trying to stop them but discover a terrifying secret.

But underneath that, it’s really about using your powers for good.

This book is about _________________________________________________________________________________________.

(But underneath that, it’s really about __________________________________________________________________________________________.

WHAT REVISION IS

65 Off-Draft Writing Prompts

to Jump-Start Revision

Write a metaphor-poem describing one of your characters, in another character’s voice.Thanks, Kelly Fineman!

If your poem/essay/personal narrative/ research paper could talk back to you right now, what would it say?

WHAT REVISION IS

Charts, maps, timelines, & outlines

More Ideas…

• Map the setting – note important events

• Chapter by chapter timelines• Plot charts with rising/falling

action• Outline (after writing) to

identify weak chapters

Big-Picture Story Chart - What

characters, settings, objects, jokes,

themes, and threads are important in your

project? Are they woven consistently

throughout the text?

WHAT REVISION IS

Considering all five senses.

Time

to Revise

!Sometimes poem… Add SMELLS

WHAT REVISION IS

Returning to Research

WHAT REVISION IS

Details and Word Choice

Be specific.

Be surprising.

Look for delicious details

Look for delicious details

Google Maps – Street View

Role Play!Replace Tired Body

Language

** Role Play! Replace Tired Body

Language

ANGRYFRUSTRATED

ANXIOUSSCARED

JOYFUL-EXCITEDDEPRESSED

WHAT REVISION IS

Being a Word Ninja

Readers are Smart

Don’t keep repeating your points to make sure they “get it.”

very

really

just

that

“what looked like”

JUSTANDRATHERBEGAN TOAS THOUGHTHENBUT ALWAYS

GLANCEDIN THAT MOMENTSO A BITI GUESSMAYBETHATVERY REALLY

Watch for “pet” stories, ideas,

themes, phrases…

Brainstorm: What words,

phrases, & pet stories are on your personal

“MOST WANTED” list?

Time to Revise!

***Sometimes poem… Cut at least 20 words

WHAT REVISION IS

Being Social

-Critique Groups/Partners

Post-It Note Critiques

ORANGE = “I LOVE THIS!”

GREEN = “I’M BORED.”YELLOW=“I’M CONFUSED”

Five Reasons Kids Don’t Want to

Revise(and what teachers

can do about it)

Kate Messner

http://www.katemessner.com

REASON #1

“But I just FINISHED. And I

like my paper the way it is.”

SOLUTION:

Start the revision conversation

early.

After We Write…

REVISION – PART I

REVISION – PART 2

REVISION – PART 3

REASON #2

“I already ran a spell check. I’m

good.”

SOLUTION:

Teach students the difference

between revising and editing.

REASON #3

“I don’t know where to start.”

SOLUTION:

Have a revision checklist ready…

Student Critique Partners• Trade papers with a partner•Use highlighters to indicate the following:•Pink = Consider cutting this part.•Green = I’m confused now.•Orange = Use more vivid details/precise language.

•Yellow = This part works really well!•In the margin next to each color (or on a Post-It note), write a note explaining your highlighting and making suggestions.

REASON #4

“I did revise. Just now. It’s not my fault I’m a fast

reviser.”

SOLUTION:

Teach multiple strategies for

revision.

A Shrunken ManuscriptStrategy Courtesy of Darcy

Pattisonhttp://www.darcypattison.com

PINK = plot pointsGREEN = crushBLUE = RubyORANGE = funny bits

with IanYELLOW = place for

the tree game

REASON #5

“Everybody says I’m a great writer.

Great writers don’t need to

revise.”

SOLUTION:

Use published authors as role

models, through text examples and

Skype visits.

GUESS HOW MANY DRAFTS?

14!

REAL REVISION: Talking the Talk and

Walking the Walk

Kate Messner

http://www.katemessner.com