History of Literary Criticism
Always
consider questions 1-3, 13.
1. Is this a
genuine re-vision of the first version? What is the most significant change?
2. Was there
an advance in the writer's thinking on the topic? What was it?
3. Has the
writer sympathetically imagined objections or alternatives to the main thesis?
Has the writer addressed these objections or alternatives in a thoughtful way?
Consider
questions 4 and 5 if they apply:
4. Are new
issues dealt with successfully? Are existing points treated more extensively?
Is new reasoning or evidence included?
5. Does the
main topic receive the most attention, and are sub-topics properly
subordinated?
Consider
the following editing questions when they apply:
6. Has the
organization improved?
7. Are the
transitions handled more effectively?
8. Are the
paragraphs more topical, better organized?
9. Are the
sentences clearer, better?
10. Are the
grammar and usage improved? (Point out the two or three areas which most need
improvement.)
11. Is the
word choice better?
12. Has the
paper been carefully proofread?
____
13. Is the
revision overall better or worse than the previous version? Be honest. If it is
better, specify the ways in which it has been improved. If it is worse, try to
say why. If no one knows why, the writer should see me.