Making Improvements
After evaluating your work and receiving a second opinion, you are ready to begin making improvements, using both critical and creative thinking in the process.
Critical Improvements
These fixes involve the overall structure of your project and may include cutting and rearranging.
▶ Cutting
Ask yourself the following questions before deciding which elements of the project should be cut.
- Which part or parts do not help me accomplish the objectives and reach my goal?
- How can I make the project simpler, leaner, and more to the point?
Note: Just because you cut something doesn’t mean it’s useless. You may find that the material fits perfectly in another project.
▶ Rearranging
Ask yourself the following questions before deciding to rearrange any elements.
- Which part or parts seem to be in the wrong place?
- How can I rearrange my work to make it more effective, efficient, and smooth?
Note: Don’t be afraid to try rearranging in more than one way. Keep working until the best arrangement presents itself.
Creative Improvements
These fixes involve reworking parts and adding new elements to your project.
▶ Reworking
Ask yourself the following questions before deciding which parts to rework.
- Which part or parts are confusing?
- How can I rework these parts so that the project better achieves my goal?
Note: Continue to rework parts of your project until the ideas are plain and the goal has been met.
▶ Adding
Ask yourself the following questions before adding new elements.
- What seems to be missing from my project?
- What additions might make my project stronger?
Note: Don’t be afraid to experiment with possible solutions—adding various details or ideas until the project forms a satisfactory whole and leaves no obvious questions in the mind of the audience.
Using an Improvement Plan
The following example improvement plan was created by Denice Sobiech and her team for their video about veteran rehabilitation. (Go to thoughtfullearning.com/h421 to download an improvement plan form of your own.)
Your Turn Answer the improvement/revision questions about your own project before completing an improvement plan like the one above. (Download a template at thoughtfullearning.com/h421.)
