Writing Tip #26: Revising Your Logic

After finishing your first full essay draft, print it and put the hard copy away for a while, at least until after a meal or some physical activity. Put some space and time between you and your writing, and then read it as an objective reviewer. If the essay is an analysis, what is your thesis? Do you show the reader a way to anticipate how you will support that thesis; have you clearly projected your organization? If you have written an argument, can you identify the counterargument and argument? Is the counterargument presented weakly or does it realistically and sensibly assert your opposition? If it's weak, your readers may wonder that you've bothered to argue the point. The stronger the counterargument, the stronger must be your argument and more substantial must be your evidence in order to win the case-and the more satisfying your victory will be. Look at the evidence: is it accurate, can the reader trust its presentation? Then read the essay aloud: how does it sound? Is it choppy or smooth? Do the words fall into a sing-song repetition because the phrases are all the same length? Does it sound firm, aggressive, "wimpy," positive, or negative? Think carefully about your diction, style, and tone. Once you're satisfied that your argument does what it needs to do, try it on another reader, or, if you're in a writing class, submit the draft to your instructor and/or you classmates. If they find holes in the logic, don't get defensive; just fix the holes-and thank them!