Revision-inspired "HOW TO" Poems

[Corbett Harrison]

In two of Barry Lane's books that we use in our Nevada workshops for teachers--Reviser's Toolbox and 51 Wacky We-Search Reports--Barry shares with the idea of "How to" poems. These are poems built from a series of verb phrases that, when read, show the writer's knowledge of how someone can be just like the topic of study.

"How to be Thomas Jefferson" and "How to be a human heart" are two of the examples Barry shares in his texts.

On the final night of our teacher workshop on revision, we all write a "How to be a Reviser" or a "How to Teach Revision" poem. Below, you will find some of the poems crafted by our teacher participants.

[Barbara Boatman]

Revision Thoughts

Model it and do it,
Practice with the class.

Model revision, do revision.
Don't go too fast!

Build up the toolbox,
Write up each one.

Practice makes perfect.
Remember to have fun!

[Joselle Garfias]

HOW TO BE A REVISER



Read it again ... what do you see?
Borrow ideas from authors you like
Read it aloud ... how does it sound?
Try subtle alliteration
Put in thoughtshots
Zoom in ... zoom out
Put a prepositional phrase first
Read it again ... now what do you see?

[Raeann Hill]

How to be a Reviser....

Don't hold on too tight to the roughdraft
Be open to new ideas
Read from every angle
Move things around
Play with your writing
Try it here
Try it there
Have fun with it!
Read your writing out loud
Fear not!
Walk away
Return and review
Remember....revision is not for the faint of heart
Embrace the possibilites
Write again
.....and again
..........and again.
A writer never has to produce a FINAL draft
....like life it can always be changed

[Sandra Bivens]

...how to be a reviser...

Write, read, share
Is it time for repair?

I let it rest
I puzzled through
I listened to someone else
I need something new
I looked in Barry's toolbox
I borrowed an idea or two

Hear a strong voice
whisper ideas
close your eyes
and reviser reappears...

[Ryan Decasa]

Take a breath
and dive right in.
Flow and rhythm
will vary like your setences
Revise your characters to
Sing with their thoughts and actions.
Expand on your ideas
Extend them as a series of three.
Explode.
Stand up for your draft,
Make the choice,
and when your done with your revision,
just realize you're never finished.

[Kim Price]

How to be a Reviser

Revision is to writing as ornaments are to a tree.
In order to revise, start with a piece of writing.
Revision can be as easy as pie with mentor texts.
With items from your toolbox,
Revision can be a snap!
Slyly sneak in some subtle alliteration.
Revision is looking for that exploding moment.
Zoom in with your binoculars,
Vary your sentence lengths.
Add a thoughtshot or snapshot where needed.
Soon, before your very eyes, the writing that was hidden away
Will finally scratch its way to the surface.
"Ta-da!" is what you will say as revision saves the day!

[Andy Westby]

Remember to describe with details, they really show what is going on.
Editing comes later, don't worry about conventions yet.
Visualize how it will look when perfect and strive to make it so.
Include some subtle alliteration or perhaps a sentence or two beginning with a preposition.
Set your mind to write with binoculars, snapshots, thoughtshots or slow motion.
Endeavor to layer in imagery that shows more than it tells.
Return after a break to revisit and renew.

[Shelace Shoemaker]

Rework and Revise
Mesmorize the reader with a memorable description
Use new vocabulary words
Reread and change
Did you happen
to vary your sentence
length?
Reread and change
Quit saying said...
SHOUT or SCREAM or RETORT or BELT it out!
Develop dialogue between your characters
Reread and change
Add artful alliteration
At the beginning of some sentences, add a prepositional phrase.
Don't forget the title!
Reread and change.

[Cheryl Hensley]

How To Be A Reviser
By, Cheryl Hensley

Have an open mind
Don't settle for your first, second or third draft
Be ready to add, subtract and multiply
Walk away satisfied and come back hungry
Change your mind and your text
Write tall and carry a BIG eraser
Be content to not be finished for awhile
Write with purpose
Compare your drafts
See your growth
ENJOY YOURSELF... :-)

[Jennifer Reynolds]

How to be a Reviser

Take off your rose colored glasses and
look at your paper with new eyes.
Ready to change and rearrange.

Like a new year:
Out with the old, in with the new.

Delete redundant ideas-
Delete redundant ideas.
Add some sparkle

Rephrase confusing wording.
(Delete redundant ideas)
Repeat words/phrases for emphasis.
Look to others and examples for guidance.
Try something new

Don’t be afraid to change.
It isn’t black hair dye that won’t come out.
And even if it doesn’t,
you can bleach it a few times
to make it different and unexpected.

Take out your toolbox
and find the tool that is best suited
for the job.
Not the one easiest to reach.

[Nancy Marie Thomas]

How To Be a Reviser

Write a rough draft you believe in.
Re-read your rough draft with a smile.
Take a walk.
Read a book.
Eat a meal.
Hang out with a friend.
Re-read your rough draft with a smile.
Take out your green pen.
Find what is good; bring it to life.
Change words with your mind; be kind to your heart.
Change phrases with your heart; double check it with your brain.
Finish with comfort in a phrase
Or a challenge in a statement.
Let it go.
Publish it.
Now it has a life of its own.

[Scott Nelson]

Nobody is Perfect
Reflection is Essential
Teach out of the Toolbox
Expand on the Rule of Threes
Allure through Alliteration
Through This Course, Prepositions You Must Provide
Give Me 32 Flavors of Variety in Your Sentence Openings and Structure
Zoom in with Binoculars as if Your Life Depended on Finding Microscopic Ants
Take Snapshots
Blow Up Your Ideas
Color Your language as if You were at the Disco