ChatGPT as a Writing and Drafting Assistant
Lesson 2: Layered Revision
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Apply three-layer revision in the correct sequence (content, structure, style)
- Use targeted review prompts for each layer
- Distinguish content improvement from sentence-level improvement
- Recognize when revision is complete vs. diminishing returns
Lesson Content
Layer 1: Content review.
"Review ttheir draft only for content â€" ignore style and sentence quality. Tell me: (1) Is every claim accurate? (2) Is anything important missing? (3) Is there anything that should not be there â€" tangents, irrelevant detail, or claims that weaken the central argument?"
Layer 2: Structure review.
"Now review for structure. Assume the content is correct. Does tthey document flow logically? Are transitions between sections clear? Should any sections be reordered? Is the most important point in the most prominent position?"
Layer 3: Style review.
"Now review for style only. Keep content and structure as-is. Identify: (1) sentences that are too long or tangled, (2) jargon to simplify, (3) passive voice that should be active, (4) redundant phrases, and (5) tone issues for this audience. Suggest specific changes â€" not just problems."
The correct sequence.
Content â†' Structure â†' Style. Reversing this wastes effort â€" style-polishing content that the content review would remove.
The revision-complete signal.
Revision reaches diminishing returns when changes are only stylistic preferences with no substantive impact. Stop when improvements are marginal.
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