1.

Revising
Use the acronym STAR to help you remember the steps to revising.

S Substitute
o Choose four or more words to replace with stronger words (example: kids vs.
children/adolescents)
o Change the words good to beneficial and bad to detrimental, etc.

T Take Out
o This quote means/shows
o SO (do not use so this and so that)
o Im going to write about
o This quote matters
o Repetitive words and replace with synonyms

A Add
o proper formatting of quotes
Title of source in quotation marks or italics as appropriate
Author or speaker of quote
Page number(s) in parentheses after quote but before the period if applicable
(11).

R Rearrange
o any words, sentences, etc. in order for your essay to flow correctly
o No two sentences start with the same word in the same paragraph
o Make sure your essay is in proper format ***FOLLOW R.A.C.E.S.***
Paragraph 1 Introduction
-Hook
-Summary of the Issue
-Thesis statement
Paragraph 2 1st argument (What is your first reason?)
-Restate question
-Answer/Argument
-Cite evidence
-Explain how the evidence relates to the evidence and supports your thesis
-Sum it up
Paragraph 3 (repeat process for 2nd argument) (What is another reason?)
Paragraph 4 (repeat process for 3rd argument) (What is another reason?)
Paragraph 5 Counterargument (Follow R.A.C.E.S)(What might someone say against
your thesis?)
-Restate question
-Answer with a rebuttal (However,)
-Cite evidence
-Explain how the evidence relates to the evidence and supports your thesis
-Sum it up

Paragraph 6 Conclusion
-Summarize the issue (look at your introduction)
-Restate your thesis
-Ending thought
2.
Editing
Use the acronym CUPS to help you remember the steps to editing.

C Capitals
-Does each sentence and proper noun begin with a capital?

U Understand
-Does each sentence make sense?

P Punctuation
-Does each sentence have correct punctuation?

S Spelling
-Is each word spelled correctly?

3.
Now, write out your essay in correct paragraph format and make sure you
fix revisions and edits. This becomes homework if not finished in class.

Also, underline the following with the correct colors:

Restate thesis-Blue
Answers/Arguments-green
Cite textual evidence-yellow
Explanations-Red
Sum it up leave alone

Word document setup:

12 pt font (no fancy fonts, no bold, no italics etc.)
Times New Roman or Calibri ONLY
Go to Paragraph (little arrow in the box) and change
to double space