Revising, revising, revising

At my writer group yesterday I was reminded of one of the myths of writing. There seems to be a perception that good writers do not need to revise their work; that somehow their first draft is golden. Bunk.

A number of years ago I took a fabulous course through the Continuing Studies program at SFU, Advanced study in Writing for Business and the Professions, taught by Anne Hungerford.

She taught that there are six different types of revision:

1. Revision for truth and accuracy.
2. Review of the structure of your document.
3. Purpose and occassion; does it meet the needs of your audience?
4. Review paragraphs for unity, development, and flow.
5. Review sentences for wordiness, awkwardness, and the use of the passive voice.
6. Word choice and tone.

So throw out that ingrained idea drilled in from the in-class essay that you can produce something fabulous the first time out and revise, revise, revise.

Sources:
Advanced Study in Writing for Business and the Professions by Anne Hungerford (course material)
Writing With Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process by Peter Elbow

Save Library & Archives Canada

The proposed changes at LAC have far-reaching implications for how Canada’s history and cultural heritage are preserved and understood. The "modernization" underway is a direct attack on our collective memory. To prevent the demise of this vital national institution, the Canadian Association of University Teachers has launched a campaign to ensure that LAC maintains its commitment to preserve and make publicly available Canada's full documentary heritage.

Campaign objectives

• Amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act to more clearly specify LAC’s obligation to maintain a comprehensive collection of Canada’s documentary heritage
• Ensure funding required to fulfill this obligation
• Restore LAC’s full acquisition of published material and archival acquisitions
• Restore public services, including access to archivists and librarians; access to the general reference collection; and re-establishment of specialist archivist positions
• End fragmentation of collections resulting from decentralization

Spring issue of British Columbia History in mailboxes soon

Look for British Columbia History's anniversary issue celebrating 90 years of the British Columbia Historical Association was established on October 12, 1922. It was renamed the British Columbia Historical Federation on July 29, 1983 — a name that better reflects its role as an umbrella organization for provincial historical societies.

The Spring issue celebrates the past of the Federation's flagship publication with reprints of articles from past pages by John Forsyth, Louis LeBourdais, Noel Robinson, Walter N. Sage, Charles Humphries, and R.J. (Ron) Welwood.


It also features some thought on the future of archives by Courtney C. Mumma from the City of Vancouver Archives.

Don't foregt to join us in Campbell River for the British Columbia Historical Federation's annual conference.