REVISING A DISSERTATION

FRIDAY PEER REVISIONS SESSIONS

Dr. Idoia Elola, 2013

Revision is a reiterative process

Excellent drafted dissertation

Revision

Revision

Revision

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Phases of revision

Online revision

• Revise while composing a sentence or paragraph

Middle revision

• After writing a few pages or paragraphs, do global and local revisions

Final revision

• Revise and edit: vocabulary substitution (thesaurus techniques), reading aloud….

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Create your own revision methodProblematic areas: Poorly integrated quotes:

…..These findings are supported by her own previous study (Lee, 2011b) showing that “the process of explaining, questioning, and seeking solutions to problematic features involves cognitive

engagement and promotes noticing” (Lee, 2012, p. 71).   [end of paragraph]

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Paraphrased version

Like in a previous study (Lee, 2011b), she found that the process of seeking solutions to difficult features results in cognitive activation, which promotes noticing (Lee, 2012).

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Create your own revision method Background paraphrased from other sources (e.g.,

in the literature review) Read this section:

While the Sears Tower is arguably the greatest achievement in skyscraper engineering so far, it's unlikely that architects and engineers have abandoned the quest for the world's tallest building. The question is: Just how high can a building go? Structural engineer William LeMessurier has designed a skyscraper nearly one-half mile high, twice as tall as the Sears Tower. And architect Robert Sobel claims that existing technology could produce a 500-story building. From Ron Bachman, "Reaching for the Sky." Dial (May 1990): 15. 

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HOW DO I PARAPHRASE?

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Reread the original passage until you

understand its full

meaning.

Set the original

aside, and write your paraphrase on a note

card.

Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision

using this material.

Check your rendition with the

original to make sure that your version

accurately expresses

all the essential

information in a new

form.

Use quotation marks to

identify any unique term

or phraseology

you have borrowed

exactly from the source.

Record the source

(including the page)

on your note card so that

you can credit it

easily if you decide to

incorporate the material

into your paper.

How can I paraphrase?

Potential paraphrasing

How much higher skyscrapers of the future will rise than the present world marvel, the Sears Tower, is unknown. However, the design of one twice as tall is already on the boards, and an architect, Robert Sobel, thinks we currently have sufficient know-how to build a skyscraper with over 500 stories (Bachman 15).

Taken from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/619/

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Create your own revision method (cont.)

Lengthy stretches of analysis: Integrate narration so the reader can follow

the line of your argument. Poorly organized:

How to tackle this problem: compare your manuscript with your previous

outline.* if you did not have an outline, create an outline of

what you have written so far (reversed outline) Reread and make comments about what you

wrote.

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How to crate a reverse outline? Step 1

In the left-hand margin, write down the topic of each paragraph. Try to use as few words as possible (it works as quick references). When revising your own work, these notes should tell you if each paragraph is focused and clear.

Step 2 In the right-hand margin, write down how the paragraph topic

advances the overall argument of the text. When revising your own work, these notes should tell you if each paragraph fits in the overall organization of your paper. You may also notice that paragraphs should be shifted after completing this step.

You should be able to summarize the topic and the manner of support quickly (from 5 to 10 words); if you can't, revise the paragraph until you can.

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Making comments

Create your own revision method (cont.)

Once your chapters are complete, read each chapter again for:

random sentences in paragraphs lack of references * thesis and sub-thesis supporting evidence transitions within and between paragraphs head titles limited vocabulary (too much repetition)**

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Needing a reference14

Thesaurus techniques15

What are common words or expressions:to providebut….

Other revision considerations

Create mind-mapping: writing things down on paper, not on the computer.

Read aloud Move forward, don’t stall Work on reviewers’ feedback: address

the comments one by one until finishing the revision

Lastly, Hire an academic editor for refined

revision (when necessary)

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THANK YOU17