Revise for clarity
The idea
Revision improves meaning, structure, and evidence; proofreading checks conventions. Begin with what the reader needs to understand. Replace vague pronouns, arrange ideas logically, and use precise verbs. Shorter sentences help only when they preserve the connections between ideas.
Worked example
“It made it better” is unclear. “Adding a labeled diagram made the explanation of evaporation easier to follow” identifies the action, object, and result.
Another application
Combine “We measured the plants. We wrote numbers. It changed.” into a clearer sequence: “We recorded each plant’s height weekly, then compared changes across the light conditions.” The revision identifies what was measured and how it was used.
A common misunderstanding
Revision is not simply replacing ordinary words with longer ones. Precise wording and clear relationships matter more than sounding complicated.
Try it yourself
Revise a paragraph twice: first for organization and missing explanations, then for punctuation and spelling. Explain one substantive change.
Check your understanding
Which should usually come first: improving organization or fixing every comma?
Reveal the explained answer
Organization first, because revision may change or remove sentences.