What is the last step in writing an argumentative essay? And why does it feel like trying to herd cats?

Writing an argumentative essay can be a daunting task, especially when you reach the final stages. The last step in crafting a compelling argumentative essay is often overlooked, yet it is crucial for ensuring that your essay is polished, coherent, and impactful. This step involves revising and editing your work, but it’s not just about fixing grammar and punctuation. It’s about refining your arguments, ensuring clarity, and making sure your essay resonates with your audience. However, this process can sometimes feel as chaotic as trying to herd cats—unpredictable, frustrating, and occasionally rewarding.

The Importance of Revision and Editing

Revision and editing are the final steps in the writing process, but they are by no means the least important. These steps allow you to step back from your work and view it with a critical eye. During the revision phase, you should focus on the overall structure and content of your essay. Are your arguments clear and well-supported? Have you addressed counterarguments effectively? Is your thesis statement strong and compelling? These are the questions you should be asking yourself as you revise.

Editing, on the other hand, is more about the finer details. This is where you check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. You also want to ensure that your sentences are clear and concise. Editing is the stage where you polish your essay to perfection, making sure that every word counts.

The Chaos of Revision: Why It Feels Like Herding Cats

Revising an essay can often feel like trying to herd cats. Just when you think you’ve got everything under control, a new issue pops up. Perhaps you realize that one of your arguments isn’t as strong as you thought, or you notice that your conclusion doesn’t quite tie everything together. It’s easy to get overwhelmed during this stage, but it’s important to stay focused and methodical.

One reason revision can feel chaotic is that it requires you to switch between different modes of thinking. You need to be both a creator and a critic, which can be mentally exhausting. It’s also easy to get bogged down in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s why it’s important to take breaks during the revision process. Step away from your essay for a while, then come back to it with fresh eyes.

Strategies for Effective Revision and Editing

To make the revision and editing process more manageable, it’s helpful to have a strategy in place. Here are some tips to help you navigate this final step:

1. Take a Break: After you’ve finished writing your essay, take a break before you start revising. This will give you some distance from your work and allow you to approach it with a fresh perspective.

2. Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you catch errors and awkward phrasing that you might not notice when reading silently. It also helps you hear the rhythm and flow of your writing.

3. Focus on One Thing at a Time: Don’t try to fix everything at once. Focus on one aspect of your essay at a time, such as the strength of your arguments, the clarity of your thesis, or the flow of your paragraphs.

4. Get Feedback: It’s always helpful to get feedback from others. Ask a friend, classmate, or teacher to read your essay and provide constructive criticism. They may catch things that you missed.

5. Use Checklists: Create a checklist of things to look for during the revision and editing process. This could include items like checking for grammar errors, ensuring that your arguments are well-supported, and making sure your conclusion ties everything together.

6. Be Ruthless: Don’t be afraid to cut out parts of your essay that aren’t working. If a paragraph doesn’t add to your argument, get rid of it. Your essay will be stronger for it.

The Role of Counterarguments in Revision

One of the most challenging aspects of revising an argumentative essay is addressing counterarguments. It’s important to acknowledge and refute opposing viewpoints, but this can be tricky. You need to strike a balance between being fair to the opposing side and defending your own position.

During the revision process, take a close look at how you’ve handled counterarguments. Have you presented them accurately? Have you provided strong evidence to refute them? If not, this is the time to strengthen your arguments. Remember, a well-rounded argumentative essay doesn’t ignore opposing views—it addresses them head-on.

The Final Polish: Editing for Clarity and Style

Once you’ve revised your essay and are satisfied with the content, it’s time to focus on editing. This is where you fine-tune your writing to ensure that it’s clear, concise, and free of errors. Here are some things to keep in mind during the editing process:

1. Grammar and Punctuation: Check for common grammar and punctuation errors, such as subject-verb agreement, comma splices, and run-on sentences. Use a grammar checker if necessary, but don’t rely on it completely—always double-check.

2. Clarity: Make sure your sentences are clear and easy to understand. Avoid using overly complex language or jargon that might confuse your reader.

3. Conciseness: Cut out any unnecessary words or phrases. Your essay should be as concise as possible without losing its meaning.

4. Consistency: Ensure that your writing is consistent in terms of tone, style, and formatting. For example, if you’re using APA style, make sure all your citations are formatted correctly.

5. Flow: Pay attention to the flow of your essay. Does each paragraph transition smoothly to the next? Are your ideas presented in a logical order? If not, make adjustments to improve the overall flow.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Revision and Editing

Let’s be honest—revision and editing can be an emotional rollercoaster. One moment, you’re feeling confident about your essay, and the next, you’re questioning every word you’ve written. It’s important to remember that this is a normal part of the writing process. Writing is hard work, and it’s okay to feel frustrated at times.

The key is to stay focused on your goal: creating a strong, compelling argumentative essay. Don’t let the chaos of revision and editing derail you. Keep pushing forward, and remember that every edit you make brings you one step closer to a polished final product.

Conclusion: The Last Step is Just the Beginning

The last step in writing an argumentative essay—revision and editing—is often the most challenging, but it’s also the most rewarding. This is where you take your rough draft and transform it into a polished, persuasive piece of writing. It’s a process that requires patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to make tough decisions.

But here’s the thing: the last step isn’t really the end. Writing is a continuous process of learning and improvement. Even after you’ve submitted your essay, you can reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and use that knowledge to improve your writing in the future. So, while revision and editing may feel like herding cats, they’re also an opportunity to grow as a writer.

Related Q&A

Q: How long should I spend on revising and editing my essay?

A: The amount of time you spend on revision and editing will depend on the length and complexity of your essay, as well as your own writing process. However, it’s generally a good idea to spend at least as much time revising and editing as you did writing the initial draft. For a 1500-2000 word essay, this could mean several hours or even days of revision and editing.

Q: Should I revise and edit in one sitting, or should I break it up?

A: It’s usually better to break up the revision and editing process into multiple sessions. Trying to do everything in one sitting can lead to fatigue and make it harder to spot errors. Take breaks between sessions to give your brain a rest, and come back to your essay with fresh eyes.

Q: How do I know when my essay is ready to submit?

A: You’ll know your essay is ready to submit when you’ve addressed all the major issues, such as the strength of your arguments, the clarity of your thesis, and the flow of your essay. You should also have checked for grammar and punctuation errors, and made sure your essay is formatted correctly. If you’re still unsure, consider getting feedback from a peer or instructor before submitting.

Q: What’s the best way to handle counterarguments in an argumentative essay?

A: The best way to handle counterarguments is to present them fairly and then refute them with strong evidence. Acknowledge the validity of the opposing viewpoint, but explain why your position is stronger. This shows that you’ve considered multiple perspectives and strengthens your overall argument.

Q: Can I use online tools to help with revision and editing?

A: Yes, online tools like grammar checkers and plagiarism detectors can be helpful during the revision and editing process. However, they shouldn’t replace your own critical thinking. Always review the suggestions made by these tools and decide whether they improve your essay.