3.1 Reviewing and redrafting

Figure 1

Rereading, reviewing and rewriting your work are crucial and often ongoing activities.

Reread the story that you wrote in Activity 2.5 at the end of Week 2, prompted by something heard on the radio, and check what you’ve written. Try reading it aloud, as that can help you to become aware of things in the writing, such as its rhythm, elements that you don’t notice when you are reading it silently.

Can you see ways in which you could bring the character (or characters) more to life? Rewrite the story incorporating your new ideas.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do the characters come across vividly?
• Is any of your word usage surprising? Does it help the reader to ‘see’ the characters?
• Now that you look at it again do you think any of the descriptions are predictable and dull?
• Are any of the words and phrases you have used too familiar?