IDEAS
Ideas are the heart of the message. They reflect the purpose, the theme, the primary content, the main point, or the main story line of the piece. When ideas are strong, the writing is rich with detail, original and thoughtful, highly focused and clear, and sub-stantive. In other words, it says something; it doesn’t just meander or list ideas randomly. It doesn’t bore the reader with trivia, repetition, or unnecessary information.
Just Beginning
Someone else might have trouble figuring out what I’m trying to say.
I might not know enough yet about this topic to write.
My details are vague: “It was fun and stuff.”
I’m still thinking on paper. I’m looking for an idea.
I’m not sure what my topic is…OR…maybe my topic is too big: “All about Earth.”
On My Way-Ready for Serious Revision
A reader would understand my MAIN idea. I could use more information, though.
Some details are important and interesting: “She always wore non-matching
socks.” Other details are too general or are things everyone already
knows: “She was nice.” “It was a July day in Arizona. The
weather was warm.”
My topic is still too big: “Weather” “World Peace”
“All About Computers”
I think a reader would still have some important questions: “So-do computers
actually think-or not?” “Does global warming affect weather?”
What actually caused the hot air balloon to crash?”
That’s It! Focused, Clear, Specific, Concise
My writing brims with details that hold a reader’s attention. The main
point is very focused and easy to understand.
A reader would learn something reading this.
I showed what was happening (“The wildly spiraling tornado aimed straight
for our barn”) rather than just telling (“It was scary”).
My topic is small and focused: “What to do when a tornado hits.”
Interesting tidbits (“You hear a tornado before you see it”) keep
my readers reading; no one will get bored and doze off reading this.
I included what was important (whether a tornado can really pick up a house)
and left out trivia and details not related to my topic (names of hurricanes
since 1900).
I could easily answer the question: What is the point of this paper or this
story?
Quick Check for Revision:
__ I chose a small topic I can manage.
__ I have ALL the information I need to write.
__ The main idea/story in my paper is:
____________ (I can fill in the blank!)
__ The details I chose will hold a reader’s attention. They are NOT obvious or
boring.
__ I left out things that are not that important.
__ I waited 2 days and re-read this. It still seemed clear.
__ I gave this to someone else to read. I answered any important questions he/she
had.