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Cutting the Raw Draft Down to Size |
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My raw draft (on right-hand pages 47-61) is composed of the fourteen unedited blocks of material I ordered in my argument-outline. Block (A) is the introduction developed from the provisional thesis. Blocks (B) through (O) are introduced through simple transitions taken from either the introduction, or the argument-outline. I include working headings in the text of the raw draft ("Suppose that . . ." or "But . . .") to remind myself of the goal of each section as I cut the draft down to size. On the corresponding left-hand facing pages are the explanations for keeping, moving, or deleting passages. (Boxed passages with diagonal slashes in the raw draft text are to be deleted; passages to be kept for the roughly final draft are bracketed in the left-hand margin.) I also note questions that need resolving, and places where I will want to add new material in the roughly final draft. Freedom in cutting the raw draft arises from having more than enough usable material. Once you experience the fun and mastery of revising with confidence, you will automatically clarify and tighten your editing skills. You will also feel differently about beginning a writing project. You will know beforehand that improving the draft is as creative as writing it, and this will allow you to begin the whole process with less hesitancy, less anxiety, and more energy.
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