Mcom 320: Revising Your Work

Overview

The word "revise" means to “see again,” exactly what to do when refining writing for public consumption. However, writers often miss the mistakes in their work because the brain fills in the gaps. The human brain is a fascinating code-cracking machine; one phenomenon that showcases this ability is the capacity to easily read jumbled or misspelled words.

When it encounters a scrambled word or even a scrambled sentence, the brain relies heavily on context to make sense of the text. For example, if you hear a sound that strongly suggests another sound is coming, the brain acts as if you have already heard that second sound. Similarly, when you see a collection of letters or words, the brain jumps to conclusions about what comes next.

While you might think you read every word, the brain subtly fills in gaps based on subsequent context. If you encounter a garbled sentence, you likely do not get every word right. Your brain automatically compensates for missing information. For example, consider the following classic passage:

It deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.

Because of the brain's remarkable ability to fill in gaps you miss, you need feedback on your writing. Likewise learn to give others constructive, specific feedback. Instead of hating this process because it makes you feel uncomfortable, learn to see feedback as a gift instead of a threat.

In the feedback process, develop Christlike communication and leadership skills: give others the benefit of the doubt, consider others' needs over your own, and remember your point of view is incomplete and distorted.

As you receive feedback from your peers, professors, supervisors, or colleagues, you may feel a bit defensive, as Moroni did when God commanded him to write:

"And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words."

But remember God's reply:

And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying:

"Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

If you see feedback as a chance to "repent," you will cherish it.

Remember the Lord's words:

"And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" (D&C 18:13)

You could be content with your own content, or you could make it better with feedback from a peer. Thank the person who cares enough to give you feedback:

"For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift." (D&C 88:33)

Respect others enough to give them constructive feedback. Have integrity enough to request feedback from your peers. In the end, have faith that any feedback you receive does not affect your worth, which is already set by your identity as a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Read the following textbook chapter

Watch the following video

Some people feel defensive when they receive feedback. To truly learn and grow, be willing to solicit and accept feedback. See feedback as a gift, no matter how it's wrapped.